THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 

NEW  YORK    •    BOSTON    •    CHICAGO 
ATLANTA  •    SAN   FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN  &  CO.,  LIMITED 

LONDON  •    BOMBAY   •    CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE  MACMILLAN  CO.  OF  CANADA,  LTD. 

TORONTO 


THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE 
THAT  JACK  HAS 


A  READER  IN  PRACTICAL  PHYSIOLOGY 
AND  HYGIENE;  ;•. ; ;  \/      •'-, ; 


FOR  USE  IN  SCHOOL  AND  HOME 


BY 
COLUMBUS  N.    MILLARD 

SUPERVISOR   OF    GRAMMAR    GRADES,    BUFFALO 
PUBLIC    SCHOOLS 


Nefo  gark 
THE   MACMILLAN   COMPANY 

1908 

All  rights  reserved 


GtP3(> 


'    '    It**** 
I.     •       «•*••• 

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'!•  «•'••    :  -v. .  .: 


COPYRIGHT,  1908, 
BY   THE   MACMILLAN  COMPANY. 


Set  up  and  electrotyped.      Published  June,  1908.     Reprinted 
October,  December,  1908, 

EDUCATION  DEFT, 


J.  S,  Cushing  Co.  —  Berwick  &  Smith  Co 
Norwood,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 


BeMcatefc 

TO 
MY   WIFE 

ALICE  KELLOGG  MILLAKD 

IN   APPRECIATION    OF    SYMPATHY    AND    HELP 

IN    THE    PREPARATION    OF 

THIS    BOOK 


PREFACE 

THE  study  of  physiology  in  schools  often  counts 
very  little  toward  building  stronger  and  better  bodies. 
Pupils  memorize  difficult  technical  terms,  learn  de- 
scriptions of  processes,  and  study  statements  of 
hygienic  facts,  but  passing  examinations  and  complet- 
ing the  study  are  too  often  the  chief  results. 

The  following  quotations  were  taken  at  random 
from  one  of  the  best  physiology  text-books  in  com- 
mon use :  "  The  amoeba  is  a  protozoan  often  found  in 
slime  at  the  bottom  of  stagnant  water."  "  The 
twelve  rib-supporting  vertebrae  are  called  the  thoracic 
vertebras."  "  Glycogen  is  found  in  the  liver."  "  When 
oxygen  is  united  with  hemoglobin,  it  forms  oxyhemo- 
globin."  "  Vaso-constrictor  nerves  have  their  origin 
in  the  spinal  bulb."  "  The  opening  of  the  left  upper 
chamber  of  the  heart  is  called  the  left  auriculo-ven- 
tricular  orifice."  "  The  building  up  or  constructive 
processes  are  included  under  anabolism,  while  ka- 
tabolism  designates  the  tearing  down,  or  destructive 
processes." 

It  may  be  that  the  difficulty  in  learning  these  and 
numerous  other  technical  terms  prevents  the  excellent 
facts  of  hygiene,  also  included,  from  making  the 
impression  that  they  should.  It  is  also  quite  possi- 

vii 


viii  PREFACE 

ble  that  at  the  age  children  usually  undertake  the 
intensive  study  of  physiology,  habits  of  eating,  breath- 
ing, and  care  of  the  body  are  too  firmly  fixed  to  be 
changed  without  persistent  effort,  of  which  the  great 
majority  are  incapable.  Certain  it  is  that  many 
people  who  are  familiar  with  the  benefits  of  plain 
food  and  the  bad  effects  of  that  which  is  indigestible 
do  not  allow  this  knowledge  materially  to  affect  their 
daily  diet.  Carelessness  in  regard  to  ventilation  is 
perhaps  still  greater,  even  though  the  injurious  effects 
of  impure  air  are  commonly  known.  In  both  cases 
the  lack  of  care  is  probably  a  natural  result  of  having 
gained  knowledge  of  physiology  and  hygiene  at  a 
time  or  in  a  way  that  did  not  lead  to  practical  appli- 
cation in  daily  habits. 

The  aim  in  the  pages  that  follow  is  to  present  some 
generally  recognized  important  facts  about  the  care 
and  building  of  the  body  in  a  way  that  will  interest 
and  impress  children  enough  to  help  in  forming  daily 
habits  most  likely  to  insure  future  health  and  use- 
fulness. The  author  believes  that  the  reading  and 
discussion  of  these  facts  in  the  fifth  or  sixth  year  of 
school,  and  again  in  perhaps  the  seventh  or  eighth, 
will  greatly  help  in  familiarizing  children  with  the 
use  of  food,  air,  and  w^ater  in  body  building.  It 
should  also  impress  the  fact  that  health  and  strength 
are  not  due  to  luck,  but  to  the  wise  use  of  these 
common  things. 

Throughout  the  book   much   is   made   of  the  fact 


PREFACE  IX 

that  more  fun,  better  looks,  and  increased  power  to 
do  usually  accompany  improved  health  ;  for  all  three 
are  powerful  levers  with  children.  That  mental 
attainments  gained  at  the  expense  of  health  are  often 
of  little  practical  use  is  also  emphasized.  Technical 
terms  and  physiological  facts  are  not  given,  unless 
a  knowledge  of  them  will  help  better  to  impress 
the  importance  of  establishing  correct  bodily  habits. 
Questions  that  will  induce  intelligent  word  study  and 
stimulate  full  topical  recitations  are  arranged  at  the 
end  of  the  book.  A  glossary  giving  possibly  un- 
familiar words  is  also  included.  Both  of  these 
features  will  be  of  practical  use  to  teachers  and 
parents. 

Training  pupils  to  gain  power  in  correct  oral  ex- 
pression is  one  of  the  most  difficult  problems  of  the 
school.  Should  this  book  prove  an  aid  in  this  respect, 
it  will  afford  the  author  much  gratification.  If  the 
information  it  contains  causes  even  one  child,  who 
might  otherwise  have  been  weak  and  sickly,  to  enjoy 
better  health  and  greater  usefulness,  the  writer  will 
feel  well  rewarded. 

Acknowledgments  are  hereby  gratefully  made  to 
Dr.  Charles  G.  Stockton,  Professor  of  the  Principles 
of  Medicine  and  Clinical  Medicine,  University  of  Buf- 
falo ;  Dr.  John  H.  Pry  or,  formerly  Superintendent, 
now  Trustee,  of  the  New  York  State  Hospital  for  the 
Treatment  of  Incipient  Tuberculosis ;  Dr.  F.  Park 
Lewis,  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  State 


X  PREFACE 

Asylum  for  the  Blind  at  Batavia,  New  York ;  Almon 
H.  Cooke,  M.D. ;  Myrtle  M.  Massey,  M.D.,  and  Thomas 
C.  Phillips,  D.D.S.,  for  helpful  suggestions  in  regard 
to  omissions  and  improvements.  Acknowledgments 
are  also  due  Francis  J.  Flagg,  formerly  Principal  of 
School  No.  25 ;  Miss  Margaret  Brennan,  Principal 
of  School  No.  13 ;  Miss  Ida  Kempke,  Method  Teacher, 
Buffalo  State  Normal  School ;  Charles  P.  Alvord, 
Principal  of  Teachers'  Training  School  (all  of  Buffalo, 
New  York) ;  and  Richard  A.  Searing,  Superintendent 
of  Education,  North  Tonawanda,  New  York,  for  care- 
ful reading  and  criticism  of  the  manuscript. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAQB 

I.    THE  GREATEST  TREASURE  IN  THE  WORLD       .        .  1 

II.     THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS        .        .  4 

III.  How  JACK'S  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  BUILDS  ITSELF      .  6 

IV.  FOODS  AS  BUILDING  MATERIALS  FOR  JACK'S  HOUSE 

—  THE  PROTEIDS 8 

V.    FOODS    AS    BUILDING    MATERIALS  —  FATS,    CARBO- 
HYDRATES, MINERALS         '.  •      .-       .        .        .        .10 

VI.     How  JACK'S  HOUSE  EXTRACTS  ITS  BUILDING  MATE- 
RIALS—  DIGESTION     .......  16 

VII.     How  JACK'S  HOUSE  EXTRACTS  BUILDING  MATERIALS 

FROM  FOOD  —  STOMACH  AND  INTESTINAL  DIGESTION  22 
VIII.    THE    BUILDING    MATERIALS    OF    JACK'S    HOUSE  — 

MILK  AND  ITS  PRODUCTS  .        .        .        .        .        .32 

IX.    OTHER  ANIMAL  FOODS          .        .        .        .        .        .  43 

X.    VEGETABLE  FOODS  AS  BODY-BUILDING  MATERIALS  .  54 
XI.    BUILDING  MATERIALS  FOR  JACK'S  HOUSE  —  BEVER- 
AGES             ...  69 

XII.    FOOD  HABITS  —  WISE  AND  OTHERWISE      ...  86 

XIII.  THE    MOST    NECESSARY    BUT    LEAST   APPRECIATED 

MATERIAL  USED  IN  JACK'S  HOUSE  —  PURE  AIR      .  97 

XIV.  HOW    TO    HAVE    THE    BEST    POSSIBLE    VENTILATION       .  118 

XV.     OTHER  IMPORTANT  FACTS  ABOUT  AIR        .        .        .  135 

XVI.     BREATHING  HABITS 143 

XVII.     How  EXERCISE  MAY  IMPROVE  JACK'S  HOUSE     .        .  158 

xi 


Xll 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 
177 


18:5 


CHAPTER 

XVIII.     ADULTERATED  AIR  — TOBACCO         .... 

XIX.     THE  LARGEST   COMPONENT    OF   JACK'S    HOUSE  — 
WATER      ....  .... 

XX.     OUR  WONDERFUL  RIVER  OF  LIFE   AND  MARVEL- 
OUS TELEGRAPH  SYSTEM — THE  BLOOD  AND  THE 

NERVES 203 

XXI.     CLOTHING  AS  A  PROTECTION  TO  JACK'S  HOUSE      .    209 

XXII.       HOW  TO  PROTECT  OUR   El)GED  TOOLS  —  THE  TEETH      221 

XXIII.  THE  EYES  AND  HOW  TO  PROTECT  THEM       ...        .    233 

XXIV.  THE  EARS  AND  HOW  TO  PROTECT  THEM         .        .    262 
XXV.     REST  AND  SLEEP        .        .        .        .        .  *     .        .    276 

XXVI.  HOW  TO  PROTECT  JACK'S  HOUSE —  WHAT  TO  DO 

IN  EMERGENCIES  .  .  .  .  ?  .  283 

XXVII.  HOW  TO  PROTECT  JACK'S  HOUSE  FROM  CONTAGIOUS 

DISEASES  —  CONSUMPTION  .  «...  295 

XXVIII.     THE  SACREDNESS  OF  JACK'S  HOUSE        .        .        .311 

HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION        ...        .        .        .    315 

GLOSSARY 345 


INDEX  ,        , 355 


THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE 
THAT  JACK  HAS 

CHAPTER  I 

THE    GREATEST  TREASURE   IN  THE   WORLD 

MANY  interesting  stories  have  been  told  about 
gallant  captains  who  sailed  the  seas,  four  hundred 
years  ago,  in  search  of  treasure.  Perhaps  we  have 
read  of  the  daring  adventures  of  men  who  in  1849 
crossed  the  American  prairies  and  mountains,  in  quest 
of  the  newly  discovered  gold  in  California.  Some  of 
us  may  know  persons  who  are  even  now  braving  the 
perils  of  Alaska  to  secure  this  precious  yellow  metal; 
and  all  around  us,  in  every  city  and  village,  we  see 
people  eagerly  striving  for  wealth. 

In  fact,  money  seems  to  be  the  greatest  treasure 
in  the  world,  because  it  can  furnish  so  many  comforts 
and  pleasures.  Boys  and  girls  think  they  want  to 
learn  to  do  that  which  will  bring  them  great  wealth. 
As  they  grow  older,  they  dream  and  plan  how  to 
secure  it,  often  neglecting  a  far  greater  treasure  which 
most  of  them  might  obtain,  but  which  many  allow  to 
slip  away,  a  treasure  so  precious  that  no  amount  of 
money  can  buy  it. 


2     THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

What  is  this  greatest  treasure  in  the  world?  Is 
it  something  hidden  away  like  a  pirate's  booty,  or  a 
miser's  hoard  ?  Must  we  search  for  it  long  years,  and 
perhaps  be  rewarded  only  by  accident?  To  secure  it- 
must  we  journey  to  distant  countries,  spend  long, 
tedious  years,  and  endure  countless  hardships  ?  By  no 
means !  This  wonderful  treasure  is  simply  a  strong, 
healthy  body.  With  it,  either  rich  or  poor  may  be 
comfortable  and  enjoy  life.  Without  this  best  of  all 
wealth,  no  one  can  be  perfectly  happy,  even  though 
he  is  rich,  nor  can  he  make  the  best  use  of  knowledge 
gained  in  school. 

In  order  to  win  this  priceless  possession,  it  is 
not  necessary  to  slay  mighty  dragons,  or  to  go  on  a 
perilous  search  for  a  golden  fleece.  Its  ownership  is 
not  restricted  to  the  highborn  or  the  lucky.  Only 
two  things  are  necessary  for  most  people  to  possess  it. 
The  first  is  to  get  well  acquainted  with  our  wonderful 
house,  the  body.  The  second,  to  give  our  bodies  the 
same  reasonable  care  we  should  give  a  dog  or  a  pony, 
if  we  expected  to  keep  him  strong  and  serviceable. 

What  gives  girls  and  boys  more  real  pleasure 
than  taking  part  in  sports  and  games  that  require 
strength  and  agility?  What  better  capital  is  there 
for  men  and  women,  just  starting  life's  work,  than  to 
be  able  to  labor  steadily  and  well  without  the  handi- 
cap of  headaches  or  nervousness?  What  finer  sight 
is  there  than  an  erect,  gray-haired  old  man  or  woman, 
healthy  in  mind  and  body,  and  taking  active  interest 


THE    GREATEST    TREASURE    /JV    THE    WORLD          3 

in  the  affairs  of  life?  If  a  good  fairy  were  about  to 
open  a  magical  box  of  treasures,  how  eagerly  all 
would  crowd  around  to  obtain  some  of  its  contents. 
The  joys  of  health  and  strength  are  greater  than  any 
gift  in  any  treasure  box.  We  shall  try  to  secure  their 
precious  secrets  from  the  chapters  that  follow. 


CHAPTER   II 

THE    WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT   JACK   HAS 

EVERY  one  has  read  of  the  'l  Wonderful  House 
that  Jack  Built,"  but  very  few  know  what  they  should 
about  the  Wonderful  House  that  Jack  Has.  What 
makes  it  all  the  more  interesting  is  that  James,  Howard, 
Mary,  and  Estelle,  in  fact,  all  of  us,  are  house  owners 
of  the  same  kind.  And  such  a  wonderful  house  it  is ! 
Vastly  more  interesting  than  Spain's  splendid  palace, 
the  Alhambra,  and  certainly  more  curious  than  Italy's 
far-famed  Leaning  Tower  of  Pisa  !  In  fact,  you  might 
carefully  study  all  the  architecture  of  the  world  with- 
out finding  anything  half  so  wonderful. 

How  does  it  happen  that  many  know  so  little 
about  their  bodies?  Largely  because  the  knowledge 
is  so  easily  obtained  and  its  importance  has  not  been 
fully  realized.  It  is  said  that  many  people  living  in 
Philadelphia  have  not  visited  Independence  Hall, 
and  residents  of  Buffalo  who  have  not  seen  Niagara 
Falls  are  by  no  means  few.  Thousands  travel  miles 
to  visit  those  celebrated  places ;  and  yet  many  living 
near  have  not  had  their  interest  aroused.  We 
should  not  show  such  lack  of  enterprise  in  regard  to 
our  bodies,  but  should  let  the  fact  that  they  are  not 
distant  make  their  wonders  of  even  greater  interest. 

4 


THE    WONDERFUL    HOUSE    THAT    JACK    HAS          5 

Of  course  all  know  this  Wonderful  House  that 
Jack  Has  is  made  up  of  the  head,  trunk,  and  limbs. 
The  head  contains  the  brain,  which  controls  and 
directs  the  rest  of  the  body,  and  is  most  strongly  for- 
tified by  the  skull.  The  trunk  has  two  compartments. 
In  the  upper,  the  chest,  are  the  lungs  and  heart,  well 
protected  by  the  strong  ribs.  In  the  lower,  the  ab- 
domen, are  the  stomach,  intestines,  liver,  kidneys, 
and  other  important  organs. 

We  sometimes  wonder  at  the  easy  way  the  ball- 
bearing wheels  of  modern  machines  move,  but  we  shall 
see  that  bicycles  and  automobiles  do  not  begin  to  be 
put  together  with  such  skill  as  are  our  bodies.  It  is 
not  very  important  to  know  that  these  houses  of  ours 
contain  about  two  hundred  bones,  or  that  our  bones 
are  covered  with  six  hundred  or  more  muscles.  But 
it  is  very  important  to  understand  that  our  habits 
of  standing  and  sitting,  what  we  eat,  drink,  wear,  and 
do,  all  affect  the  health  and  development  of  these 
bones  and  muscles. 


CHAPTER  III 
HOW  JACK'S  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  BUILDS  ITSELF 

A  MOST  curious  thing  about  Jack's  Wonderful  House 
is  that  it  builds  itself.  True,  it  must  have  certain 
materials  in  the  right  proportion  and  at  the  proper 
time.  When  furnished  with  these,  however,  the 
structure  it  produces  is  stronger  and  more  beautiful 
than  the  best  architect  can  plan,  or  the  most  skilful 
carpenter  construct.  What  are  these  materials  ?  They 
are  nourishing  food,  pure  air,  and  fresh,  pure  water. 

An  introduction  to  '  any  of  the  three  will  not,  of 
course,  be  necessary;  but  many  of  us  need  to  get 
very  much  better  acquainted  with  all  of  them.  Too 
many  people  know  food  as  something  eaten  at  meals 
or  at  other  times  chiefly  because  of  hunger.  The 
amount  taken  at  a  particular  meal  often  depends  upon 
its  taste.  Many  do  not  know  or  stop  to  think  whether 
what  is  eaten  will  help  or  hinder  the  growth  of  their 
bodies. 

How  incompetent  we  should  think  a  carpenter 
who  used  his  building  materials  so  unwisely  !  If  he 
used  pine  where  a  great  deal  of  oak  was  necessary, 
to  give  the  building  strength  and  durability,  what 
poor  houses  he  would  construct !  If  he  should  make 

6 


HOW  JACK'S  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  BUILDS  ITSELF   7 

use  of  hickory  and  mahogany  where  softer  timber 
would  answer  the  purpose  better,  how  much  of  his 
time  and  money  would  be  wasted  !  Like  oak,  some 
foods  give  a  great  deal  of  strength  and  endurance, 
and  so  are  much  needed  in  the  House  that  Jack  Has. 
Of  other  foods,  our  bodies  Squire  only  a  little  to  assist 
in  their  growth.  Still  others  are  of  very  little  value 
in  large  quantities,  because  so  much  labor  is  required 
in  making  use  of  them. 

We  know  that  water  is  needed  in  preparing  the 
plaster  and  cement  in  an  ordinary  house.  This  fluid 
is  far  more  important  in  the  House  that  Jack  Has. 
Indeed,  this  wonderful  house  could  not  get  on  com- 
fortably a  single  day  without  water.  Later  we  shall 
see  how  very  useful  this  sparkling  liquid  can  be 
made  in  keeping  both  the  outside  and  the  inside  of 
our  bodies  clean  and  wholesome. 

A  carpenter  could  hardly  tell  the  material  most 
necessary  for  him  to  have  always  at  hand.  He 
would  say  that  it  would  depend  on  the  kind  of  house 
he  was  building.  But  in  these  houses  of  ours  that 
build  themselves,  the  one  thing  that  should  always 
be  ready  for  use,  if  the  best  building  is  to  be  done,  is 
pure  air.  We  cannot  have  too  much  of  it,  nor  is 
there  a  moment  during  the  day  that  we  do  not  need 
this  precious  material. 


CHAPTER   IV 

FOODS    AS    BUILDING    MATERIALS    FOR   JACK'S    HOUSE  — 
THE   PROTEIDS 

OUR  bodies  are  made  up  chiefly  of  bone,  muscle, 
fat,  blood,  and  nerves,  with  an  outside  covering  of 
skin.  These  are  constantly  wearing  away,  and  must 
be  daily  supplied  by  the  food  we  eat.  Besides,  during 
the  first  twenty  or  more  years  of  our  lives,  enough 
more  good  building  material  must  be  furnished  to 
produce  healthful  development  and  growth  of  the 
various  tissues  and  organs  of  the  body. 

If  we  could  use  food  to  make  up  bodily  waste 
and  supply  necessary  additions  in  the  same  way  that 
a  builder  uses  lumber  to  repair  the  wall  of  a  house  or 
stone  to  strengthen  a  cellar  wall,  but  a  littlfe  knowl- 
edge of  foods  would  be  necessary.  The  conditions 
are  very  different,  however.  Only  certain  compo- 
nents of  foods  are  helpful  building  materials.  These 
must  be  extracted  and  carried  to  the  parts  where 
each  is  needed.  The  rest  is  waste  which  must  be  cast 
out,  as  the  carpenter  throws  aside  the  shavings  and 
ends  that  are  cut  off  to  make  the  parts  fit  properly 
together. 

The  components  of    foods   that   are    useful  to  the 

8 


FOODS  AS  BUILDING  MATERIALS  9 

body  are  proteids,  fat,  starch,  sugar,  and  mineral  mat- 
ter such  as  salt,  lime,  iron,  and  phosphorus.  Proteid 
is  derived  from  a  Greek  word  which  means  first. 
It  is  justly  entitled  to  this  name,  for  it  is  the  most 
important  of  the  body's  building  materials.  Since 
blood,  muscle,  and  all  the  vital  organs  contain  pro- 
teids  as  their  chief  component,  we  can  readily  under- 
stand why  much  of  our  food  should  be  rich  in  this 
material. 

What  is  proteid  like?  Is  it  something  that  only 
college  professors  and  students  with  costly  microscopes 
can  find  and  understand,  or  is  it  possible  for  school 
children  to  get  acquainted  with  this  important  sub- 
stance ?  Strangely  enough  many  of  our  old  friends  in 
the  food  family  contain  much  of  this  useful  material. 
For  instance,  the  white  of  egg,  often  called  albumen, 
is  largely  composed  of  it.  Lean  meat,  the  curd  of 
milk  (the  part  from  which  cheese  is  made),  the  gluten 
of  flour,  the  legumen  of  peas  and  beans,  are  all  good 
examples. 

Proteids  contain  a  great  deal  of  an  important 
element  called  nitrogen,  and  for  this  reason  are  often 
spoken  of  as  nitrogenous  foods.  While  proteids  can 
take  the  place  of  fats,  starch,  and  sugar  in  supplying 
fuel  and  energy  to  the  body,  these  foods  cannot  take 
its  place  in  forming  new  tissues.  On  this  account  we 
should  plan  always  to  have  plenty  of  proteids  in  our 
food. 


CHAPTER  V 

FOODS  AS  BUILDING  MATERIALS  —  FATS,  CARBO- 
HYDRATES, MINERALS 

WHO  would  ever  suppose  that  fat  could  be  of 
any  particular  use  to  our  bodies?  It  surely  is  not 
interesting  to  look  at,  and  is  so  distasteful  to  some, 
in  certain  forms,  that  they  do  not  eat  the  fat  they  see 
in  meat  served  to  them  at  meals.  They  even  say, 
perhaps  with  more  or  less  pride,  that  they  never  eat 
fat.  Nevertheless,  if  they  use  meat  as  food  at  all, 
they  must  eat  some  fat,  for  between  the  fibers  of  lean 
meat  there  is  much  of  this  substance  that  is  not  usually 
seen. 

It  is  also  present  in  many  other  foods.  There 
is  much  fat  in  the  cream  of  milk.  Fish  are  liberally 
supplied  with  it,  and  so  are  the  yolks  of  eggs.  Butter 
is  largely  fat  and  olive  oil  has  a  great  deal.  The 
various  grains  have  some,  and  even  nuts  are  rich  in 
this  element.  It  certainly  seems  odd  that  anything 
so  hard  and  dry  as  grains  and  nuts  should  contain 
fat.  Yet  chemists,  by  careful  analyses,  have  dis- 
covered these  facts. 

How  fortunate  it  is  that  so  many  different  foods, 

some  of  which  almost  every  one  can  relish,  are  well 

10 


FOODS  AS  BUILDING  MATERIALS  11 

supplied  with  this  valuable  food  substance !  In  what 
way  is  it  useful  to  our  bodies?  In  the  same  manner 
that  coal  is  to  an  engine.  It  furnishes  energy  for  mo- 
tion and  also  supplies  fuel  for 
keeping  the  body  warm.  The 
body  could  get  along  without  fat, 
because  proteids  can  supply  both 
tissue  building  material  and  fuel. 
However,  as  one  ounce  of  fat  will 
supply  about  two  and  one-half 
times  as  much  heat  and  energy 
as  the  same  amount  of  proteid, 
it  is  usually  far  better  to  have 
fatty  foods  in  our  diet. 

When  we  eat  sufficient  fat  to 
furnish  much  of  the  heat  and 
energy  our  bodies  need,  it  is  pos- 
sible for  the  proteids  eaten  to  Olive  Branch  and  Fruit. 

perform  their  most  useful  work ;     Olives  and  nuts  supp!y 

nutritious  oils.     The  olive 

namely,  building  up  the  tissues  of  is  neariy  black  when  ripe, 
the  body.  For  this  reason,  fats  are  Grfen  ol™»  are  of  no 

value  as   food. 

of  great  use  to  growing  children, 

especially  those  that  are  not  naturally  robust  and 
strong.  Butter  and  cream  are  both  very  good  fatty 
foods,  and  olive  oil  is  excellent.  A  spoonful  or  more 
of  the  latter  at  each  meal  furnishes  an  excellent  lubri- 
cant for  the  digestive  organs,  as  well  as  a  very  good 
food.  Many  people  have  found  this  slight  addition 
to  their  daily  diet  a  most  effective  aid  to  health. 


12    THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

Pork,  lard,  and  other  comparatively  inexpensive  foods 
all  contain  much  fat.  They  are  not  easily  digested 
by  some,  however,  and  it  is  often  a  mistake  for  such 
people  to  use  them  as  foods  to  any  large  extent. 

More  fat  should  be  eaten  in  cold  weather  than  in 
the  warm  months,  because  our  bodies  need  more  heat. 
For  this  reason,  inhabitants  of  the  frigid  zones  eat 
what  seems  to  us  a  prodigious  amount  of  fatty  foods, 
often  several  pounds  of  fat  meat,  tallow,  or  whale 
blubber  in  a  day.  For  the  opposite  reason,  people 
living  in  tropical  regions  eat  very  little  fat,  but  much 
fruit,  because  the  latter  is  cooling.  Strange  as  it  may 
seem,  the  Eskimo  enjoys  his  whale  blubber  or  pure 
tallow  as  we  should  broiled  steak  or  roast  turkey,  and 
even  visitors  to  the  Arctic  regions  soon  relish  such 
fatty  foods. 

Dr.  Kane,  the  famous  Arctic  explorer,  says  : 
"Our  journeys  have  taught  us  the  wisdom  of  the 
Eskimo's  appetite,  and  there  are  few  among  us  who 
do  not  relish  a  slice  of  raw  blubber  or  a  chunk  of 
frozen  walrus  meat."  A  native  of  the  frozen  north 
would  no  doubt  regard  a  breakfast  of  oranges  and 
bananas  with  the  same  disgust  that  a  dweller  in  the 
tropics  would  sit  down  to  a  lunch  of  tallow  candles. 
The  appetite  of  both  is  regulated  by  the  need  of  the 
body  for  heat.  Try  to  think  of  a  good  reason  why 
men  working  at  hard  physical  labor  need  more  fat  at 
all  times  of  the  year  than  those  whose  occupation 
requires  but  little  exertion  of  the  muscles. 


FOODS  AS  BUILDING  MATERIALS  13 

Two  other  necessary  food  components  that  furnish 
heat  and  energy  are  starch  and  sugar.  They  are 
called  carbohydrates.  Starch  is  abundant  in  flour, 
corn  meal,  oatmeal,  and  other  cereals.  Our  fa- 
miliar food  friend,  the  potato,  has  a  great  deal 
of  starch,  and  so  have  rice,  tapioca,  and  other 
similar  foods.  Like  fat,  starch  furnishes  fuel  for  the 
body.  We  know  that  wood  does  not  furnish  as  much 
heat  as  coal.  The  same  is  true  of  starch  and  fat. 
The  latter  furnishes  about  two  and  one-half  times  as 
much  heat  and  energy  as  the  former.  Nevertheless, 
in  a  temperate  climate  from  six  to  eight  times  as  much 
starch  should  be  eaten  as  fat. 

Sugar  •  is  another  fuel  and  energy  furnishing 
food.  What  visions  of  caramels,  taffy,  and  other 
candy  favorites  it  brings  to  mind !  Although  sugar 
is  the  food  children  often  like  best,  many  are  harmed 
by  eating  too  much.  It  produces  about  the  same 
amount  of  heat  and  energy  that  starch  does,  and, 
in  small  quantities,  is  an  excellent  food.  But  when 
much  sugar  is  eaten,  it  is  likely  to  get  the  digestive 
organs  out  of  order  and  cause  poor  health. 

Is  it  found  in  any  foods  except  the  sugar,  candy, 
honey,  sirup,  and  molasses  with  which  all  are  so 
familiar?  Remarkable  as  it  may  seem,  milk  contains 
a  small  amount,  fruit  has  some,  and  beets,  corn,  and 
other  vegetables  are  well  stocked  with  it.  Few  children 
associate  the  cooked  beets  served  at  dinner  with  the  can- 
dies and  other  sweets  that  come  with  dessert.  Never- 


14          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

theless,  even  in  our  own  country,  many  factories  are 
making  hundreds  of  pounds  of  sugar  daily  from  beets. 

Common  salt  is  one  of  the  most  important  miner- 
als necessary  to  the  body.  It  is  contained  in  many 
animal  foods,  and,  as  we  know,  some  is  used  for 
seasoning.  It  is  better  to  put  in  salt  during  the  pro- 
cess of  cooking,  as  less  is  required  to  give  a  thorough 
seasoning.  A  small  quantity  is  necessary  to  the  body, 
but  care  should  be  taken  not  to  form  the  habit  of 
eating  too  much.  Lime  is  another  mineral  substance 
which  must  be  supplied  in  our  food,  if  the  bones  and 
other  hard  parts  are  to  continue  healthy  and  strong. 
Small  quantities  of  magnesia,  soda,  phosphorus, 
iron,  and  other  mineral  matter  are  also  found  in  the 
blood  and  various  tissues  of  the  body.  Magnesia 
and  soda  are  present  in  most  vegetables  that  grow 
underground.  Phosphorus  is  contained  in  the  yolk 
of  eggs,  and  iron  is  found  in  all  green  vegetables. 

We  have  now  read  about  the  different  com- 
ponents of  food,  and  their  use  to  our  bodies  as  build- 
ing material.  Shall  we  give  these  facts  little  or  no 
thought,  and  continue  to  eat  what  happens  to  please 
our  taste  without  regard  to  its  benefit  or  injury? 
Certainly  none  of  us  should  be  such  foolish  builders ! 
On  the  contrary,  should  we  not  make  our  food  serve 
the  purpose  of  building  strong,  vigorous  bodies,  — 
bodies  in  which  the  active  muscles,  the  white  teeth, 
the  ruddy  complexion,  the  sparkling  eye,  —  all  shall  tell 
of  wisely  chosen  building  materials  and  perfect  health  ? 


FOODS  AS  BUILDING  MATERIALS  15 

The  following  facts  about  foods  are  especially 
important  for  us  to  remember.  Proteids,  fats,  and 
carbohydrates  should  all  be  included  in  our  diet,  the 
amount  being  varied  according  to  what  we  seem  to 
need.  More  heat  producing  food  is  required  in  cold 
than  in  warm  weather,  and  we  can  add  to  our  comfort 
at  any  season  of  the  year  by  using  judgment  in  our 
choice  of  food.  If  we  happen  to  have  a  dislike  for 
one  of  the  important  food  components,  we  should 
keep  trying  until  we  find  some  food  containing  it  that 
can  be  both  relished  and  comfortably  digested.  It 
is  wise  to  eat  temperately  of  sugars  and  other  sweet 
foods  that  please  the  taste  for  a  moment  but  in  large 
quantities  may  do  much  injury. 

What  a  great  mistake  it  is  for  children  to  be  al- 
lowed to  develop  and  persist  in  a  dislike  of  necessary 
foods  !  In  the  first  place,  they  do  not  receive  the  daily 
body-building  aid  which  these  foods  might  supply. 
Then  there  are  dangerous  diseases  in  which  such  foods 
as  milk  and  eggs,  for  instance,  are  about  the  only  diet 
that  can  be  safely  used.  Naturally  persons  having 
a  preestablished  dislike  for  these  cannot  relish  them 
at  such  a  time,  and  so  their  chances  for  recovery  are 
greatly  lessened.  Indeed,  children  should  be  made 
to  eat  staple  foods,  nor  should  they  be  allowed  to  form 
detrimental  habits  in  choosing  improper  diet.  How 
many  cases  of  nervous  troubles,  poor  digestion,  and 
weak  bodies  are  due  to  lack  of  proper  training  in  these 
respects;  experienced  physicians  can  testify. 


CHAPTER  VI 

HOW  JACK'S  HOUSE  EXTRACTS  ITS  BUILDING  MATERIALS 
—  DIGESTION 

WE  want  to  learn  a  great  deal  about  the  foods 
used  in  building  Jack's  house.  First,  however,  as 
a  help  in  forming  correct  ideas,  let  us  see  how  foods 
are  changed  in  our  bodies  to  a  form  that  can  be  carried 
to  every  part,  and  made  use  of  where  needed  for 
repairs  and  additions.  Compare  a  piece  of  bread  with 
a  few  drops  of  blood,  and  notice  how  different  they  are 
in  appearance.  How  strange  it  is  that  bread  and  other 
solid  foods  we  eat  are  changed  to  a  form  in  which 
they  may  be  taken  into  the  blood  !  To  understand 
this  marvellous  process,  we  must  know  something 
about  chemistry.  "Chemistry  !"  grammar  school  girls 
and  boys  may  exclaim:  "Why  that  is  one  of  the 
difficult  subjects  in  the  high  school !  How  can  you 
expect  us  to  know  anything  about  Chemistry?" 

Although  Chemistry  is  a  high  school  subject,  it 
has  to  do  with  many  common  things  with  which  all 
are  familiar.  The  dictionary  tells  us  that  Chemistry 
is  the  science  which  treats  of  the  composition  of 

substances  and  the   changes   in  the  composition   and 

16 


DIGESTION  17 

constitution  of  their  molecules.  That  sounds  difficult. 
But  when  we  know  that  composition  and  constitution 
mean  simply  how  a  substance  is  made  up  or  of  what 
it  is  composed,  and  that  molecules  are  the  smallest 
parts  of  a  substance,  it  does  not  seem  so  hard  to 
understand. 

Without  consulting  a  dictionary,  we  can  tell 
the  three  different  forms  of  matter,  solids,  liquids, 
and  gases.  We  know  how  sugar  when  heated  turns 
to  sirup,  how  ice  and  snow  change  to  water,  how  heat 
turns  water  to  steam,  and  how  cold  causes  steam  to 
change  back  to  water.  We  have  seen  yeast  cause 
the  bread  dough  to  rise,  and  heat  make  oatmeal  expand. 
In  fact,  hundreds  of  simple  experiments  will  show 
that  material  things  are  made  up  of  different  parts; 
and  that  these  parts  can  easily  be  made  to  separate 
from  one  another  and  rearrange  themselves  in  some 
other  form,  if  just  the  right  process  is  used. 

The  passage  in  the  body  through  which  food  travels 
while  it  is  being  changed  into  body  building  material 
is  called  the  alimentary  canal.  This  wonderful  pas- 
sage is  about  thirty  feet  long.  Its  parts  in  order 
from  the  mouth  are  the  pharynx,  esophagus,  stomach, 
small  intestine,  and  large  intestine.  At  various  sta- 
tions along  this  remarkable  canal  are  situated  small 
chemical  shops  called  glands.  In  these  are  secreted 
fluids  that  help  dissolve  food,  and  change  it  into  such 
form  that  it  may  be  absorbed  into  the  blood  and 
become  useful  building  material. 


18          THE    WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

The  first  one  of  these  dissolving  stations  is  in  the 
mouth,  and  the  fluid  secreted  there  is  known  as  saliva. 
The  glands  that  secrete  it  open  into  various  parts 
of  the  mouth  and  are  called  salivary  glands.  Saliva 
changes  some  of  the  starchy  food  we  eat  to  sugar. 
It  does  not  digest  proteids  or  fats,  or  completely  digest 
starch.  It  does,  however,  change  starch  to  a  form 
in  which  it  is  much  more  easily  digested  by  the  fluids 
in  the  intestines.  On  this  account,  it  is  especially 
necessary  that  bread,  potatoes,  cake,  and  all  starchy 
foods  should  be  well  masticated.  Proteids  and  fats, 
too,  when  thoroughly  chewed  before  being  swallowed, 
are  much  more  readily  acted  upon  by  the  digestive 
juices  with  which  they  come  in  contact  later.  Saliva 
is  also  said  to  stimulate  the  glands  in  the  stomach 
to  greater  action. 

When  we  place  bread  and  similar  solid  foods  in 
water,  they  soften  and  separate  into  small  pieces. 
Warm  water  causes  such  separation  more  rapidly 
than  cold.  If  certain  acids  or  alkalies  are  added, 
the  change  in  form  takes  place  more  speedily  and 
completely.  The  finer  the  food  is  cut  before  being 
placed  in  the  water,  and  the  more  the  solution  is  mixed, 
the  more  quickly  it  is  dissolved. 

What  can  be  learned  from  this  simple  experi- 
ment ?  Two  most  important  things,  if  we  are  to  build 
strong  bodies.  The  first  is  to  keep  the  inside  of  the 
mouth  at  its  normal  temperature  while  eating;  the 
second,  to  chew  our  food  so  thoroughly  that  it  will 


DIGESTION  19 

become  separated  into  very  small  parts,  and  be  well 
mixed  with  saliva  before  it  is  swallowed.  If  the 
temperature  of  the  mouth  is  frequently  lowered  by 
cold  drinks  or  food  during  mastication,  or  if  food  is 
swallowed  before  it  has  been  well  chewed  and  mixed 
with  saliva,  the  fluids  farther  on  in  the  digestive  canal 
cannot  properly  penetrate  it  and  incomplete  digestion 
results.  Consequently  the  blood  does  not  receive 
its  due  supply  of  new  material  in  proper  form,  and 
weakened  health  sooner  or  later  follows. 

Children  sometimes  swallow  their  food  before  it 
is  half  chewed,  or  wash  it  down  with  water,  or  perhaps 
soak  pieces  in  coffee  or  some  other  liquid.  Often  this 
is  done  because  they  are  in  a  hurry  to  get  out  to  play. 
But  what  unwise  builders  and  chemists  such  children 
are  !  Girls  and  boys  who  wish  always  to  be  in  con- 
dition for  play,  no  matter  how  old  they  may  become ; 
those  who  would  build  bodies  that  will  enable  them 
to  take  part  actively  and  well  in  t  any  game  requiring 
strength  and  agility,  should  form  the  habit  of  thor- 
oughly chewing  their  food. 

Another  great  benefit  that  comes  from  properly 
masticating  the  food  is  that  it  helps  to  keep  us  from 
eating  more  than  is  needed.  If  time  is  taken  for 
thorough  chewing,  the  sense  of  taste  is  fully  satisfied 
when  enough  has  been  eaten  to  supply  the  body's 
needs.  When  the  food  is  hurried  down,  this  sense  is 
naturally  unsatisfied,  and  more  food  than  is  required 
is  much  more  likely  to  be  eaten.  As  a  natural  result, 


20  THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

discomfort  and  disorder  are  caused  by  the  unnecessary 
and  badly  prepared  building  material. 

Some  good  authorities  even  assert  that  food  should 
not  be  swallowed  until  masticated  into  a  liquid  state. 
They  say  that  in  a  liquid  state  it  is  best  prepared 
for  the  juices  of  the  stomach.  They  also  claim 
that  with  such  mastication  too  much  food  is  not  so 
likely  to  be  eaten,  because  much  more  time  is  occupied 
in  chewing.  Persons  who  have  persevered  in  this 
habit  are  most  enthusiastic  over  the  results,  because 
of  recovered  health  and  increased  ability  to  endure 
physical  and  mental  exertion. 

Boys  will  be  interested  in  an  experiment  tried 
at  Yale  University  by  some  young  men  who  were 
active  in  athletics  and  had  the  habit  of  eating  heartily, 
with  no  especial  care  about  chewing  their  food.  They 
were  induced  to  make  a  special  point  of  thorough 
mastication  for  a  certain  period.  As  a  natural  result 
of  the  increased  length  of  time  occupied  in  chewing, 
the  quantity  of  food  they  ate  was  largely  decreased. 
For  this  reason  you  might  expect  their  activity  and 
endurance  in  games  would  have  correspondingly 
lessened.  On  the  contrary,  they  were  able  to  play 
faster,  longer,  and  more  accurately.  This  is  certainly 
an  excellent  object  lesson  for  all  who  want  to  do  their 
best  at  games  and  sports  requiring  strength  and  skill. 

We  learn  early  in  life  to  use  with  care  any 
article  or  instrument  that  by  cutting  or  burning  may 
hurt  or  mar  our  bodies.  How  important  it  is  also  to 


DIGESTION  21 

form  the  habit  of  thoroughly  chewing  our  food;  for 
careless  habits  of  eating,  by  overworking  and  clogging 
the  digestive  organs,  may  not  only  lessen  our  good 
looks,  but,  what  is  far  worse,  weaken  our  power  of 
action. 

One  thing  we  have  full  power  to  control  in  the 
process  of  preparing  building  material  for  our  bodies, 
is  proper  mastication.  If  we  have  not  already  formed 
this  good  habit,  we  should  certainly  start,  at  the  very 
next  meal,  to  make  our  teeth  and  tongue  do  the  work 
of  thoroughly  dividing  and  mixing  the  food  with  saliva. 
From  this  very  day,  we  should  not  allow  any  improp- 
erly masticated  food  to  pass  into  our  stomachs. 

The  Hon.  William  E.  Gladstone  of  England  was 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  and  successful  men 
of  the  past  century.  He  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age 
of  eighty-nine,  and  during  his  entire  life  worked  un- 
tiringly as  business  man,  statesman,  orator,  and  author. 
So  remarkable  was  the  work  he  accomplished  in  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  that  he  was  often  admiringly 
spoken  of  as  the  "Grand  Old  Man."  Mr.  Gladstone 
believed  the  habit  of  thoroughly  chewing  his  food  to 
be  one  of  the  principal  causes  of  his  long-continued 
health  and  strength.  Many  less  celebrated  people 
could  give  similar  testimony.  Thorough  mastication 
is  only  a  matter  of  habit.  By  taking  great  pains  to 
form  this  habit  now,  our  strength  and  usefulness  in 
the  future  may  be  largely  increased. 


CHAPTER  VII 


HOW  JACK'S   HOUSE   EXTRACTS   BUILDING  MATERIALS 
FROM  FOOD  —  STOMACH  AND  INTESTINAL  DIGESTION 

WHEN  food   is  swallowed,  it  passes  quickly  down 
through  a  tube  called  the  esophagus  into  the  stomach. 

The  esophagus  is  di- 
rectly behind  another 
tube,  the  trachea,  com- 
monly called  the  wind- 
pipe, through  which  air 
passes  to  our  lungs. 
(See  cut.)  An  intro- 
duction to  the  stom- 
ach is  hardly  necessary, 
intestine  From  babyhood  we  have 
heard  it  spoken  of  as 
full  or  empty,  and  have 
known  that  it  has  to 
do  with  the  food  we 

Alimentary  Canal.  eat.  Perhaps        Some 

may  have  even  learned 

that  when  unwholesome  foods  get  into  the  stomach, 
pain  results.  The  cut  gives  a  good  idea  of  the 
stomach's  shape,  size,  and  position  in  the  abdomen. 

22 


Ouod 


rt—  Small 


Vermiform   . 
Appendix 


STOMACH    AND    INTESTINAL    DIGESTION  23 

It  is  a  wonderfully  elastic,  muscular  bag,  having  an 
inside  lining  that  admits  of  great  expansion.  In 
various  parts  of  this  lining  is  situated  the  second  set 
of  chemical  workshops  that  help  to  accomplish  diges- 
tion. These  tubes  or  glands  secrete  a  fluid  called 
gastric  juice,  the  three  most  important  ingredients  of 
which  are  pepsin,  hydrochloric  acid,  and  rennin. 

What  part  has  the  gastric  juice  in  the  wonderful 
process  of  making  body  building  material  from  food? 
It  digests  the  proteid  parts.  While  starch  and  fat 
become  more  liquefied,  passing  from  the  stomach  with 
other  substances  in  the  form  of  a  grayish  white  sub- 
stance called  chyme,  they  are  not  digested,  excepting 
the  action  of  saliva  on  starch,  until  acted  upon  by  the 
secretions  of  the  intestines. 

Must  we  depend  upon  doctors  and  books  for 
the  information  that  gastric  juice  digests  proteids, 
or  can  we  prove  the  fact  ourselves  ?  An  ounce  of  water 
mixed  with  twelve  drops  of  hydrochloric  acid  and  one 
grain  of  pepsin  will  completely  dissolve  the  cooked 
white  of  an  egg  in  two  hours,  at  the  ordinary  tem- 
perature of  the  stomach,  which  is  about  ninety-nine 
and  one-half  to  one  hundred  degrees.  A  mixture  of 
five  grains  of  pepsin,  eighteen  drops  of  strong  hydro- 
chloric acid,  and  six  ounces  of  water  is  very  like  a 
similar  quantity  of  gastric  juice.  If  a  piece  of  meat 
is  placed  in  this  mixture  and  left  for  two  hours  or 
more,  at  a  temperature  of  ninety-nine  and  one-half 
degrees,  it  will  be  changed  to  liquid  form. 


24          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

The  finer  the  meat  is  divided  before  being  placed 
in  the  fluid,  the  more  quickly  it  will  be  changed.  If 
the  mixture  is  diluted  by  pouring  in  more  water,  its 
work  is  less  effective.  As  the  temperature  falls  below 
the  normal  temperature  of  the  stomach,  dissolving 
proceeds  more  slowly  and  finally  ceases.  We  can  also 
observe  that  such  a  mixture  does  not  affect  the  fat  of 
meat  or  starches  in  the  same  way  that  it  does  proteids. 

What  should  we  learn  from  this  experiment? 
First,  to  help  the  stomach  by  thoroughly  chewing  all 
food  before  swallowing  it.  Second,  not  to  dilute  the 
gastric  juice  by  drinking  too  much  water  or  other 
liquid  not  a  food,  during  meals,  or  for  some  time 
afterward.  Lastly,  not  to  lower  the  stomach's  tem- 
perature by  swallowing  large  quantities  of  cold  drinks 
during  the  hours  food  is  therein. 

For  a  similar  reason,  hard  work  or  exercise,  just 
before  or  soon  after  meals,  should  be  avoided,  because 
much  exertion  naturally  draws  an  extra  supply  of 
blood  to  the  parts  of  the  body  that  are  being  used, 
thus  making  it  more  difficult  for  the  stomach  to  get 
its  due  share. 

If,  in  an  experiment  like  the  one  just  described, 
the  meat  is  churned  around  rapidly  in  the  fluid,  the 
dissolving  takes  place  more  quickly.  In  the  mouth, 
a  similar  mixing  is  done  by  the  tongue,  teeth,  and 
jaws.  In  the  stomach,  it  is  accomplished  by  three 
layers  of  muscles,  which  operate  in  such  a  way  that 
when  food  enters,  a  churn-like  motion  is  started. 


STOMACH    AND    INTESTINAL    DIGESTION  25 

This  moves  the  food  around  and  around  from  one  end 
to  the  other,  thus  causing  it  to  become  thoroughly 
mixed  with  gastric  juices.  As  the  glands  in  our 
stomach  need  to  secrete  from  one-eighth  to  one-tenth  of 
our  weight  in  gastric  juice  daily  to  carry  on  the  work 
of  digestion  properly,  we  can  understand  why  much 
blood  is  needed  by  the  stomach  during  the  digestion 
of  a  hearty  meal. 

It  is  not  a  hard  problem  in  arithmetic  to  calcu- 
late how  much  gastric  juice  our  own  stomachs  must 
secrete  from  the  blood  each  day.  If  thg  weight  is  one 
hundred  pounds,  ten  pounds,  or  about  five  quarts, 
must  be  secreted.  Just  think  of  it !  A  gallon  or  more 
of  this  useful  fluid  to  be  daily  supplied  by  these  busy 
glands !  Surely  even  very  young  boys  and  girls  can 
see  why  it  is  unwise  to  handicap  the  stomach  by  lessen- 
ing its  supply  of  blood,  diluting  the  gastric  juice,  or 
compelling  it  to  do  more  than  its  normal  share  of  work. 

Salt,  pepper,  and  other  seasonings  are  called  con- 
diments. A  small  amount  of  these,  —  better  added 
during  the  cooking,  improves  the  taste,  and  so  is 
a  healthful  stimulant  to  the  gastric  glands.  How- 
ever, we  should  not  get  into  the  habit  of  seasoning 
too  much.  Too  much  seasoning  over-stimulates  the 
glands,  causing  more  food  to  be  eaten  than  the  body 
needs.  Food  that  is  pleasing  in  appearance  is  said 
to  cause  the  gastric  glands  to  pour  forth  their  secre- 
tion more  freely  than  that  which  is  not  tempting. 
On  this  account,  it  is  important  to  have  our  meals 


26          THE   WONDEEFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

skilfully  cooked  and  daintily  served,  and  of  course 
this  is  especially  necessary  for  invalids. 

It  is  also  interesting  to  know  that  our  state  of 
mind  at  meal  time  has  great  influence  on  the  appetite 
as  well  as  on  the  nerves  controlling  digestion.  The 
old  saying,  " Laugh  and  grow  fat,"  is  thought  to 
have  considerable  foundation  of  truth.  As  a  rule, 
people  who  go  to  meals  having  their  minds  occu- 
pied with  work  or  worry,  are  more  likely  to  have 
insufficient  appetite  and  poor  digestion  than  those 
who  put  such  things  aside  for  the  time,  and  pass  the 
meal  hour  in  pleasant  conversation.  The  explana- 
tion is  simple.  Mental  exercise  as  well  as  physical 
requires  blood.  Consequently,  if  we  are  absorbed  in 
thought  while  eating,  an  extra  supply  of  blood  is 
required  by  the  brain.  On  the  other  hand,  in 
pleasant  conversation  there  is  no  special  demand 
for  blood  from  any  other  organ,  so  the  stomach  may 
obtain  a  larger  share. 

Besides,  a  happy  state  of  mind  no  doubt  gives 
a  healthful  impetus  to  the  glands,  just  as  a  pleas- 
ant day  is  naturally  stimulating  to  the  mind  and  body. 
Being  wise  body  builders  then,  it  is  for  us  to  be  careful 
in  regard  to  all  of  these  points.  We  will  not  swallow 
our  food  in  a  great  rush  to  get  out  to  play,  because 
chewing  it  thoroughly  will  help  us  to  play  with  greater 
skill  and  relish  when  the  proper  time  comes.  We 
will  use  but  little  seasoning,  knowing  that  too  much 
is  hurtful.  We  will  go  to  our  meals  with  minds 


STOMACH   AND    INTESTINAL    DIGESTION  27 

free  from  work  and  care.  We  will  also  have  a  joyous 
table  atmosphere,  both  for  the  pleasure  it  affords 
and  the  help  it  gives  in  accomplishing  the  purpose 
of  eating,  which  is  to  furnish  our  bodies  building 
material  in  the  best  form  for  their  use. 

Three  other  fluids  aid  in  changing  food  to  such 
form  that  it  may  be  taken  into  the  blood.  The  first, 
called  bile,  is  secreted  by  the  liver,  which  is  the  largest 
gland  in  the  body.  As  can  be  seen  in  the  illustration 
on  page  22,  the  liver  is  situated  in  the  right  side  of 
the  abdomen.  Under  normal  conditions  it  is  said  to 
secrete  about  one  twenty-eighth  of  the  body's  weight 
in  bile  daily.  This,  in  a  person  weighing  one  hundred 
forty  pounds,  would  amount  to  about  two  and  one- 
half  quarts,  or  five  pounds. 

In  the  same  illustration  we  can  see  a  curious 
little  sac  shaped  like  a  radish.  This  is  called  the  bile 
or  gall  bladder.  It  opens  into  the  small  intestine 
about  five  inches  beyond  the  point  where  the  latter 
joins  the  stomach.  As  chyme  passes  through  the 
small  intestine,  the  bile  pours  out  and  quickly  mixes 
with  it.  Bile  stimulates  the  flow  of  the  two  remain- 
ing digestive  juices,  the  pancreatic  juice  and  the  in- 
testinal fluid,  and  better  prepares  chyme  to  be  acted 
on  by  them. 

Pancreatic  juice  enters  the  small  intestine  at  the 
same  place  as  the  bile.  The  pancreas,  the  gland 
which  secretes  it,  can  be  seen  in  the  illustration. 
In  a  person  weighing  one  hundred  forty  pounds, 


28          THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

it  secretes  about  ten  ounces,  or  a  little  more  than 
a  half  pint  daily.  Pancreatic  juice  digests  starch', 
fat,  and  proteid.  We  found  that  the  lining  of  the 
stomach  contained  many  small  tubes  which  se- 
creted gastric  juice.  In  the  lining  of  the  small  intes- 
tine are  also  small  tubes  that  secrete  the  last  of 
the  digestive  fluids,  the  intestinal  juice.  The  fluid 
that  pours  from  these  tubes  is  supposed  to  aid  in 
the  digestion  of  proteids,  fats,  starches,  and  sugar. 
These  intestinal  glands  form,  as  it  were,  clearing  up 
workshops  that  help  digest  any  food  material  which 
arrives  in  an  unprepared  state.  The  intestinal  tubes 
are  thought  to  secrete  about  one-half  pint  daily. 

The  quantity  of  the  digestive  fluids  and  the 
special  work  of  each  have  .been  discovered  by  ex- 
periments. Many  of  these  have  been  tried  on  dogs 
and  other  animals.  Much  valuable  information  has 
also  been  gained  by  doctors  from  patients  with  wounds 
in  some  part  of  the  stomach  or  intestines,  through 
which  the  digestive  processes  were  watched. 

After  chyme  has  been  acted  upon  by  the  di- 
gestive juices  of  the  intestines,  it  becomes  changed  to 
a  milky  white  fluid  called  chyle.  How  does  chyle 
get  into  the  blood?  All  along  the  inner  lining  of  the 
small  intestine,  for  a  distance  of  about  twenty  feet, 
there  are  small,  hair-like  projections  called 'villi.  These 
are  few  in  number  near  the  stomach,  but  gradually 
become  so  numerous  that  they  give  the  inside  of  the 
intestine  a  velvety  appearance.  These  little  villi 


STOMACH   AND    INTESTINAL    DIGESTION  29 

contain  blood  vessels  which  take  up  or  absorb  the 
digested  part  of  the  food.  As  the  blood  circulates 
through  the  body,  the  building  and  fuel  materials  it 
carries  along  are  made  use  of  where  they  are  needed. 

The  waste  and  undigested  parts  of  the  food, 
however,  are  forced  out  by  the  muscles  of  the  abdomen 
and  intestines.  We  know  how  necessary  it  is  for 
ashes  and  clinkers  to  be  removed  from  the  lower  part 
of  a  furnace  fire  daily.  If  they  are  allowed  to  remain, 
the  fire  will  burn  poorly  and  in  time  go  out.  In  like 
manner  the  functions  of  the  body  become  disordered 
if  the  waste  and  undigested  materials  do  not  pass 
regularly  from  the  intestines.  Often  these  are  highly 
poisonous.  When  they  remain  an  unduly  long  time 
in  the  intestines,  much  of  the  poison  may  be  absorbed 
into  the  blood,  and  so-called  bilious  attacks,  high 
fever,  vomiting,  and  other  troubles  frequently  result. 
These  digestive  disturbances  are  common  in  children, 
and  a  daily  thorough  movement  of  the  bowels  is  the 
essential  preventive.  For  several  good  reasons,  soon 
after  breakfast  each  day  is  the  best  time  to  attend 
to  this  important  function. 

The  digestive  glands  have  much  to  do,  and  we  can 
aid  them  in  their  work  by  eating  temperately.  Enough 
has  been  learned  to  make  us  realize  the  foolishness 
of  taking  large  quantities  of  unnecessary  food  into 
our  stomachs.  Nature  has  provided  that  these  five 
digestive  fluids  will  usually  prepare  all  the  food  the 
body  needs,  and  often  even  more.  When  they  are 


30          THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

continually  overworked,  however,  they  become  tired, 
like  other  parts  of  the  body,  and  cease  to  do  their 
labor  properly,  unless  allowed  to  rest.  People  some- 
times eat  unduly  large  meals,  and  afterward  take  medi- 
cine to  help  digest  them.  This  is  a  very  unwise  habit. 
While  the  medicines  may  quicken  digestion,  and  hasten 
the  expulsion  of  waste  material  from  the  body,  they 
accomplish  this  by  stimulating  the  digestive  glands  to 
do  an  extra  amount  of  work.  Like  other  organs  and 
muscles  of  the  body,  these  glands  have  to  rest  longer 
after  an  extra  effort,  and,  on  this  account,  may  not  be 
in  good  condition  to  digest  the  next  meal.  Instead 
of  taking  medicine  to  whip  them  to  overwork,  a  far 
better  way  is  to  eat  very  little  for  a  few  meals,  thus 
giving  the  glands  time  to  rest  and  get  into  good  con- 
dition again. 

While  there  is  little  we  can  do  to  help  the  digestion 
of  food  after  it  gets  into  the  stomach,  there  are  four 
things  within  our  control  which  all  should  form  the 
habit  of  attending  to  most  carefully.  The  first  is  to 
select  food  that  has  the  building  and  fuel  materials 
we  require,  without  being  unnecessarily  difficult  to 
digest.  Because  a  food  is  difficult  for  one  person  to 
digest,  it  does  not  follow  that  it  will  be  so  for  others. 
After  a  food  has  disagreed  with  any  one  several  times, 
it  is  wise  to  avoid  it.  The  second  is  to  partake  of 
food  in  reasonable  quantities,  no  matter  how  good  it 
may  taste.  Our  knowledge  of  body  building  cer- 
tainly makes  plain  the  foolishness  of  eating  all  the 


STOMACH  AND  INTESTINAL  DIGESTION  31 

eggs  one  can  at  an  Easter  breakfast,  or  of  seeing  who 
can  dispose  of  the  largest  number  of  pancakes  at  a 
meal.  The  complete  mastication  of  food  is  the  third 
thing  we  should  make  our  regular  habit.  The  fourth 
is  giving  a  regular  time  daily  for  the  intestines  to 
discharge  the  waste  products  of  digestion. 

Little  but  discomfort  and  unhappiness  can  come 
from  neglecting  to  form  these  habits.  A  strong, 
active  body,  ability  to  enjoy,  power  to  be  and  to  do 
our  best,  may  result  from  forming  them.  What 
precious  treasures  these  are  to  be  gained  so  easily ! 
Careful  watchfulness  for  a  few  weeks  will  readily  get 
us  into  the  last  three  habits.  The  facts  given  in  the 
following  chapters  will  help  us  in  selecting  food  that 
is  useful  building  and  fuel  material. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE    BUILDING    MATERIALS    OF    JACK'S    HOUSE  —  MILK 
AND   ITS   PRODUCTS 

IF  a  carpenter  were  not  familiar  with  the  pine, 
hemlock,  and  other  woods  used  in  his  work,  what 
a  poor  builder  we  should  think  him !  How  much 
more  necessary  it  is  for  us  to  know  all  that  is  possible 
about  the  foods  we  supply  our  bodies.  Perhaps 
our  oldest  and  best  food  friend  is  milk.  What  build- 
ing materials  does  this  useful  white  fluid  furnish  us? 

While  the  proportion  of  the  different  materials 
varies  according  to  the  breed  of  cow  and  the  time 
of  year,  it  is  usually  about  as  follows :  nearly  seven- 
eighths  water,  about  one  twenty-fifth  fat,  a  little  less 
proteid  than  fat,  about  one-twentieth  sugar,  and  the 
remainder  various  mineral  salts.  The  fat  of  milk 
forms  from  one-fifth  to  two-fifths  of  the  cream,  and  the 
casein,  of  which  cheese  is  made,  is  the  proteid. 

In  spite  of  its  large  amount  of  water,  milk  is  the  most 
perfect  food,  because  it  has  all  the  necessary  elements 
in  such  form  that  they  can  be  readily  digested  and 
taken  into  the  blood.  Some  people  have  trouble  in 
digesting  milk,  but  if  lime-water  is  added  the  dif- 
ficulty is  often  removed.  Many  young  babies  live 

32 


MILK  AND  ITS  PRODUCTS 


33 


on  milk  alone,  and  when  adults  are  sick  with  fever  or 
certain  digestive  troubles,  it  is  often  the  main  food 
taken  for  a  long  time.  This  is  because  milk  furnishes 
the  necessary  building  and  fuel  materials  with  little 
tax  on  the  digestive  organs. 


Courtesy  of  Review  of  Reviews 
A  Hygienic,  but  Inexpensive  Dairy  Stable. 

Skimmed  milk  has  lost  nearly  all  of  its  fat,  and  should 
be  much  less  expensive  than  pure  milk.  Nevertheless, 
it  still  has  the  proteid,  sugar,  and  salts,  and  is  such 
a  useful  food  that  two  quarts,  which  cost  about  six 
cents,  have  a  greater  building  value  than  a  quart  of 
oysters  costing  from  twenty-five  to  forty  cents.  A 
pint  of  milk  and  a  few  slices  of  bread  will  furnish  as 
much  building  material  as  a  lunch  of  beef,  vegetables, 
bread,  butter,  and  coffee,  and  at  a  much  smaller  cost. 


34          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

As  milk  is  so  large  a  part  of  the  food  of  invalids 
and  children,  how  important  it  is  to  know  that  we 
are  buying  that  which  is  pure.  We  should  also  under- 
stand how  to  keep  it  in  good  condition  for  a  reasonable 
time  after  delivery.  The  most  common  ways  of  lessen- 
ing the  food  value  of  milk  are  by  removing  a  part  of 
the  cream,  or  by  adding  water  or  skimmed  milk. 
The  cream  is  removed  because  it  brings  a  higher  price 
than  milk,  and  water  or  skimmed  milk  is  added  to 
increase  the  quantity.  Of  course,  in  all  three  cases 
the  value  of  the  milk  is  decreased. 

Borax,  formaldehyde,  salicylic  acid,  and  other  sub- 
stances are  sometimes  put  into  milk  by  dealers  to  keep 
it  from  souring.  Their  use  is  forbidden  by  law  in  many 
cities,  because  the  very  quality  in  them  that  keeps 
the  milk  from  souring  retards  its  digestion  in  the 
stomach.  Skimmed  or  watered  milk  is  thinner  than 
pure  milk,  and  has  a  bluish  white  color  not  noticeable 
in  the  former.  When  pure  milk  is  poured  from  a  glass, 
some  of  it  will  cling  to  the  sides,  and  not  run  off  as 
will  water  or  tea. 

When  pure  milk  is  allowed  to  stand  quietly  in  a 
cool  place  for  several  hours,  cream  rises  to  the  top. 
If  the  cream  is  not  from  one-tenth  to  one-fifth  of  the 
milk,  then  we  may  be  sure  its  quality  is  inferior. 
There  should  be  no  deposit  in  the  bottom  of  a  dish 
from  which  milk  has  been  poured.  Its  presence  is 
a  sign  of  untidiness,  lack  of  care  in  handling,  or  the 
use  of  preservatives. 


MILK  AND  ITS   PRODUCTS  35 

We  have  heard  of  the  countless  bacteria  in  the  air 
that  are  too  small  to  be  seen,  but  are  always  ready  to 
enter  vegetables  and  animal  substances,  if  an  oppor- 
tunity is  afforded.  When  food  spoils,  it  is  because 
millions  of  these  tiny  organisms  have  attacked  it. 
If  the  housekeeper  had  been  careful  enough  to  prevent 
them  from  doing  injury,  the  food  would  still  be  fit 
for  use. 

But  how  can  such  invisible  foes  be  kept  from  doing 
harm?  In  spite  of  their  small  size,  many  facts  in 
regard  to  these  minute  destroyers  have  been  dis- 
covered. For  instance,  most  of  them  can  do  little 
harm  in  a  temperature  of  from  thirty-two  to  fifty 
degrees,  while  a  temperature  from  one  hundred  fifty- 
five  to  two  hundred  two  degrees,  if  maintained  from 
fifteen  to  twenty  minutes,  readily  destroys  them. 
They  require  a  certain  amount  of  moisture,  and  on 
this  account  dried  foods  are  not  disturbed  by  them. 
They  do  not  thrive  in  anything  that  is  highly  spiced, 
sugared,  or  mixed  with  salt,  and  this  is  the  reason  that 
materials  are  canned,  preserved,  or  salted. 

Few  foods  are  so  easily  destroyed  by  bacteria  as 
milk.  What  care  should  be  taken  to  keep  this  useful 
food  at  its  best?  Both  stable  and  cows  should  be 
kept  as  clean  as  possible,  and  the  milker  should  wash 
his  hands  and  the  cow's  udder  before  commencing  to 
milk.  As  soon  as  the  pail  is  filled,  the  milk  should 
be  strained,  not  in  the  stable,  but  in  a  cool  room  ad- 
joining, after  which  it  should  be  poured  over  a  cooling 


36 


THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


aerator.     It  should  then  be  placed  in  bottles  or  cans, 
and  kept  on  ice  or  in  cool  water  until  shipped. 

Every  dairy  should  also  have  an  abundance  of  hot 
water  for  cleaning  all  utensils  used  in  handling  the 
milk,  as  it  removes  any  bacteria  that  may  have  col- 
lected on  them.  There  should  also  be  good  food,  a 


Cooling  and  aerating  Milk  —  Sinton  Rustic  Home  Dairy, 
Colorado  Springs. 


large  supply  of  pure  drinking  water,  and  plenty  of 
clean  bedding  for  the  cows.  Light,  well  ventilated 
stables  and  kindly  disposed  attendants  are  also  good 
evidence  of  the  fact  that  the  source  of  the  milk  supply 
is  what  it  should  be. 

Milk  that  has  been  placed  in  bottles  after  being 
aerated  and  cooled,  keeps  better  than  that  which  has 
been  placed  in  cans,  as  the  bottles  are  more  easily, 


MILK  AND  ITS  PRODUCTS  37 

and  hence,  as  a  rule,  better  cleaned.  On  this  account, 
the  best  milk  to  buy  is  usually  that  which  has  been 
transported  from  the  dairy  in  bottles.  The  next  best 
is  that  which  has  been  put  into  bottles  after  the  large 


Courtesy  of  Review  of  Reviews. 
Bottling  Milk  in  a  Hygienic  Dairy. 

cans  of  milk  have  been  brought  from  the   railroad 
station  to  the   milkman's  city  dairy. 

Some  dealers  carry  their  milk  around  in  cans,  dipping 
out  the  quantity  which  each  customer  wishes.  What 
an  opportunity  this  furnishes  the  ever  present  bacteria  ! 
A  can  of  milk  frequently  opened  in  the  warm  or  dusty 
air !  Another  bad  feature  of  this  custom  is  that  the 
buyers  first  served  are  likely  to  get  the  greater  part 


38 


THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


of  the  cream.  Having  a  faucet  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  can  is  another  method;  but  milk  from  such  a 
source  cannot  be  expected  to  keep  as  well  as  that 
which  is  sold  in  bottles.  Perhaps  the  most  dangerous 


Courtexy  of  Health  Department 
Milk  Station  in  New  York  City. 

way  to  buy  milk  is  from  a  grocery  or  other  store  where 
it  is  kept  in  a  tin  can  under  the  counter,  or  in  some 
place  where  bacteria  are  likely  to  be  present  in  large 
numbers. 

As  soon  as  possible  after  milk  has  been  delivered 
to  our  homes,  it  should  be  covered  and  kept  in  the 
coolest  place  in  the  house,  when  not  in  actual  use. 
If  the  milkman  comes  early  in  the  morning,  before 
any  of  the  family  are  up,  there  should  be  a  covered 


MILK  AND  ITS  PRODUCTS  39 

box  in  which  the  bottles  can  be  placed.  A  small 
lock-box  fastened  to  the  house  near  the  back  door 
answers  this  purpose  very  well. 

If  the  milk  is  delivered  from  a  can,  the  dish  into 
which  it  is  received  should  at  once  be  covered  and  put 
in  a  cool  place.  As  milk  takes  up  odors  more  readily 
than  do  most  foods,  it  should  always  be  covered  when 
placed  in  the  ice  box.  If  we  know  milk  has  stood 
for  a  time  where  it  is  warm,  or  if  there  is  reason  to 
fear  it  contains  bacteria,  it  should  be  heated  at  once 
to  a  temperature  of  from  one  hundred  fifty-five  to  two 
hundred  ten  degrees  and  kept  at  that  point  for  several 
minutes.  It  can  then  be  used  without  fear,  and  will 
keep  for  some  time,  if  reasonable  care  is  taken.  Milk 
that  has  been  kept  for  several  minutes  at  a  temperature 
of  one  hundred  fifty-five  degrees  is  called  pasteurized. 
Milk  that  has  been  boiled  for  fifteen  minutes  or  more 
is  called  sterilized.  In  the  process  of  sterilizing,  some 
of  the  good  qualities  of  milk  are  lost,  and  for  this 
reason  the  pasteurized  is  often  better.  A  floating 
dairy  thermometer  is  a  useful  article  in  every  kitchen 
to  aid  in  taking  care  of  the  milk  supply. 

How  foolish  we  should  think  a  builder  who  was  not 
careful  to  buy  lumber  of  first-class  quality,  or  who  did 
not  properly  protect  and  preserve  what  he  had  pur- 
chased. As  milk  is  such  important  building  material 
for  our  bodies,  we  should  insist  that  it  be  brought 
to  us  in  good  condition,  and  then  take  all  possible 
care  to  keep  it  wholesome.  If  in  doubt  as  to  the 


40          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

quality  of  milk  we  are  receiving,  it  would  certainly 
be  wise  to  visit  the  dairy  where  it  is  produced.  Then, 
if  the  conditions  seen  are  not  satisfactory,  we  should 
purchase  from  a  dealer  whose  dairy  meets  with  our 
approval. 

We  have  now  become  well  acquainted  with  our 
first  and  best  food  friend,  and  should  make  that  ac- 
quaintance count  in  building  strong,  healthy  bodies. 
In  warm  weather,  a  glass  of  milk  is  just  as  refreshing 
as  the  numerous  other  cool  drinks,  and  furnishes  a 
supply  of  nourishing  material  of  which  they,  as  a  rule, 
have  but  little.  When  we  are  cold,  a  glass  of  hot 
milk  will  warm  and  nourish  as  well.  A  cup  of  milk 
at  each  meal  may  become  just  as  pleasing  to  the  taste 
as  tea  or  coffee,  and  is  far  better,  especially  for  children. 
An  old  proverb  says,  "  A  word  to  the  wise  is  sufficient." 
Shall  we  let  these  facts  about  milk  help  us  to  become 
wise  body  builders? 

The  value  of  milk  as  a  food  is  so  well-known  that  the 
nutritious  part  is  prepared  for  shipment  to  distant 
places  where  not  enough  cows  are  kept  to  furnish 
the  supply  that  is  required.  The  mode  of  preparing 
it  is  very  simple.  The  milk  is  first  placed  in  large 
heated  pans  where  the  water  evaporates.  Then  what 
is  left,  nearly  one-seventh  of  the  original  quantity, 
is  heated  to  a  temperature  of  about  one  hundred  eighty 
degrees  to  kill  any  bacteria  that  may  be  present. 
After  sugar  has  been  added,  it  is  put  into  cans  or  jars 
which  are  sealed  tight  and  labeled  " Condensed  Milk." 


MILK  AND  ITS  PRODUCTS  41 

Because  it  will  keep  indefinitely,  condensed  milk  is 
shipped  any  distance.  As  it  contains  all  the  building 
elements  of  the  original  milk,  it  is  a  valuable  food. 

Butter  is  not  quite  as  old  a  friend  as  milk,  but, 
nevertheless,  it  is  a  very  valuable  one.  Happy, 
indeed,  is  the  childhood  recollection  of  a  buttercup 
being  held  under  the  chin  to  tell  whether  we  liked 
butter..  Fortunate,  too,  are  the  little  folks  who  do 
like  this  precious  yellow  food,  for  it  is  one  of  the  most 
pleasant  tasting  and  easily  digested  of  the  animal  fats. 
"As  fat  as  butter,"  an  expression  we  have  often  heard, 
is  a  good  comparison,  for  fat  is  as  large  a  part  of  butter 
as  water  is  of  milk.  Besides  fat,  butter  is  about 
one-hundredth  proteid,  and  from  nearly  one-twelfth 
to  about  one-sixth  water,  but  should  not  have  more 
of  these  substances.  Like  milk,  butter  should  be 
kept  in  the  coolest  place  in  the  house.  As  it  takes 
up  odors  very  readily,  it  should  not  be  left  uncovered 
in  the  ice  box.  When  these  precautions  are  not 
taken,  butter  becomes  rancid  and  unpleasant  to  the 
taste  in  a  very  short  time. 

A  substance  called  oleomargarine,  which  looks  like 
butter,  is  made  from  fats.  It  is  valuable  food,  and 
in  no  way  unwholesome,  but,  unfortunately,  is  often 
sold  as  butter.  As  it  is  much  less  expensive  to  make 
arid  has  not  nearly  so  fine  a  flavor,  it  is  a  fraud  to  sell 
it  as  butter.  The  difference  can  usually  be  told  by 
noticing  the  taste  and  texture.  If  one  is  not  sure, 
a  good  wray  to  find  out  is  to  melt  a  lump  of  the  sub- 


42          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

stance  in  a  small  tin  dish.  When  melted  slowly  and 
then  allowed  to  boil,  oleomargarine  will  sputter 
briskly,  but  produce  little  or  no  foam.  Butter,  on 
the  contrary,  boils  with  little  noise  and  produces 
abundant  foam. 

Cheese  made  from  whole  milk  is  composed  of  all 
the  elements  of  the  milk,  except  a  large  part  of  the 
water  and  the  sugar,  which  are  lost  in  the  souring 
process.  Cheese  made  from  skimmed  milk  has  less 
fat,  is  not  as  nutritious,  and  should  be  much  less  ex- 
pensive. A  higher  priced  quality  is  made  by  adding 
cream  to  pure  milk.  The  more  cream  or  fat  cheese 
contains,  the  softer  it  is,  and,  as  a  rule,  the  more  it 
costs. 

That  cheese  is  a  valuable  food  for  those  who  can 
digest  it  without  difficulty,  can  readily  be  seen  from 
the  fact  that  one  pound  contains  even  more  building 
material  than  a  pound  of  beef.  When  eaten  in  place 
of  meat,  as  it  often  is  in  France  and  Italy,  with  bread, 
green  vegetables,  and  oil,  it  makes  an  inexpensive  as 
well  as  a  very  nutritious  meal.  Toasted  cheese  is 
especially  difficult  to  digest.  Sometimes,  when  mixed 
with  other  substances,  cheese  is  much  more  readily 
digested  by  some  people  than  in  the  usual  solid  form. 
It  is  well  to  remove  the  rind  before  eating  cheese, 
as  unwholesome  substances  are  said  to  be  used  to 
preserve  it. 


CHAPTER  IX 

OTHER  ANIMAL  FOODS 

EGGS  are  another  very  valuable  food  friend.  Who 
has  not  heard  the  saying :  "  As  full  of  meat  as  an  egg"  ? 
Are  we  to  judge  from  this  fact  that  all  the  contents 
within  the  shell  are  valuable  body -building  material  ? 
Strange  to  say,  about  seven-tenths  of  the  inside  of  an 
egg  is>  water.  The  other  components  are  about  one- 
eighth  proteid ;  a  little  less  than  one-eighth  fat ;  and  the 
remainder  mineral  substances,  among  which  are  both 
phosphorus  and  sulphur.  It  is  the  sulphur  of  an  egg 
that  tarnishes  silver.  The  white  of  egg  is  almost  pure 
proteid,  called  albumen.  Nearly  all  the  fat  of  an  egg  is 
in  the  yolk,  which  also  contains  considerable  proteid. 

Like  milk,  eggs  are  an  especially  valuable  food,  be- 
cause the  building  and  fuel  materials  they  contain 
are  in  such  form  as  to  be  easily  made  use  of  by  the 
body.  As  heat  hardens  albumen  and  makes  it  less 
easy  to  dissolve,  hard-cooked  eggs  are  more  difficult 
to  digest  than  those  that  are  soft-cooked.  Frying 
eggs  increases  their  difficulty  of  digestion. 

Eggs  spoil  very  easily  if  proper  care  is  not  taken. 
On  this  account,  like  milk  and  butter,  they  should  be 
kept  in  the  coolest  place  in  the  house.  In  cities  there 

43 


44          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

are  large  cold-storage  houses  in  which  eggs  laid  in  the 
spring  and  summer  are  kept  for  the  winter  market. 
Where  there  are  no  such  houses,  eggs  that  are  to  be 
kept  for  a  long  time  are  placed  in  some  preservative. 


Egg  Producers. 

Water  glass,  or  liquid  glass,  as  it  is  sometimes  called, 
seems  to  be  the  most  effective  of  these  preservatives. 
Well-known  dealers  claim  that  they  have  preserved 
fifty  dozen  for  several  months  in  a  mixture  of  one- 
tenth  water  glass  and  nine-tenths  water.  As  eggs 
are  such  valuable  building  material,  it  is  important  to 


OTHEli  ANIMAL  FOODS  45 

know  whether  they  are  in  good  condition  when  de- 
livered. Candling  is  the  method  most  commonly 
used  for  this  purpose.  An  egg  is  held  before  a  light, 
and,  if  fresh,  will  appear  unclouded  and  almost  trans- 
lucent. If  dark  spots  are  visible  or  the  appearance  is 
clouded,  it  is  not  fresh. 

As  eggs  grow  old,  the  water  they  contain  evaporates 
through  the  pores  of  the  shell.  On  this  account,  they 
naturally  become  lighter  in  weight.  Dealers  have 
learned  that  a  newly  laid  egg  placed  in  a  dish  of  brine 
composed  of  two  ounces  of  salt  and  one  pint  of  water 
will  sink  to  the  bottom.  An  egg  one  day  old  will  sink 
below  the  surface,  but  not  to  the  bottom.  One  more 
than  three  days  old  will  float  in  the  brine,  the  amount 
of  shell  above  the  surface  increasing  with  age.  Of 
course,  the  higher  the  temperature  of  a  room  in  which 
eggs  are  kept,  the  more  quickly  the  water  in  them 
evaporates. 

When  the  shell  is  broken,  a  bad  egg  can  always  be 
told  by  its  offensive  odor.  If  the  yolk  holds  together 
well  after  the  shell  is  broken,  it  is  usually  a  sign  that  the 
egg  is  fit  to  eat ;  but  if  the  yolk  spreads  and  separates, 
the  cook  may  be  sure  the  egg  is  too  stale  to  be  whole- 
some or  appetizing.  Although  preserved  eggs  may  pass 
inspection,  the  process  often  lessens  their  food  value. 
On  this  account,  invalids,  especially,  should  be  careful 
to  buy  those  that  are  strictly  fresh. 

It  is  fortunate  that  eggs  can  be  prepared  in  many 
different  ways,  for  much  use  may  be  made  of  them 


46          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

without  having  meals  lack  variety.  As  they  are  said 
to  be  best  for  invalids  when  prepared  soft-boiled  or 
poached,  it  is  likely  that  in  this  form  they  can  be  most 
readily  digested  by  all.  At  any  time,  when  fresh, 
they  are  a  most  desirable  part  of  breakfast  or  lunch ; 
and  even  in  winter,  when  their  cost  is  highest,  they  are 
not  a  comparatively  expensive  food.  At  such  times, 
instead  of  omitting  the  egg  or  two  for  each  member 
of  the  family  from  breakfast  or  lunch,  we  should  be 
far  wiser  body  builders  to  leave  out  of  the  dinner  menu 
the  much  less  easily  digested  pies  and  cakes  of  which 
eggs  usually  form  a  necessary  ingredient. 

Probably  no  food  seems  more  natural  body-building 
material  than  meat,  because  it  is  so  similar  to  our  own 
flesh  and  blood.  What  building  elements  does  it 
furnish  our  bodies?  From  two-fifths  to  three-fourths 
is  water,  and  the  leaner  the  meat,  the  greater  the 
proportion  of  water.  From  about  one-eighth  to  one- 
fourth  is  proteid,  from  one-fourth  to  two-fifths  is 
fat,  and  from  three-hundredths  to  one-twentieth 
mineral  matter.  Like  milk  and  eggs,  most  meats, 
when  properly  prepared,  are  readily  digested.  Beef  is 
probably  the  best  of  the  widely  used  meats,  because 
it  has  an  appetizing  flavor  and  a  large  amount  of 
nutrition,  and  at  the  same  time  is  not  difficult  to  digest. 

Chicken,  especially  the  white-meat  part,  is  said  to 
be  more  easily  digested  than  beef,  but  it  usually  costs 
more,  for  the  waste  parts  that  cannot  be  used  for  food 
are  heavier.  Veal  (calf's  meat)  is  not  as  nutritious  as 


OTHER  ANIMAL  FOODS  47 

beef,  and  is  said  to  require  five  hours  or  more  to  digest, 
while  beef  usually  takes  from  two  and  one-half  to  three 
hours.  Mutton  is  considered  somewhat  more  easy  to 
digest  than  beef,  and,  for  this  reason,  may  be  better 
for  a  person  with  a  weak  stomach ;  but  it  is  not  quite 
so  nutritious.  Lamb  furnishes  less  nourishment  than 
mutton,  nor  is  it  so  easily  digested. 

While  pork  is  rich  in  fat  and  has  a  good  proportion 
of  proteid,  it  is,  for  many  persons,  the  most  difficult 
of  all  meats  to  digest.  For  this  reason,  it  should  be 
avoided  by  those  who  are  delicate.  Thoroughly 
boiled  ham  is  an  exception  to  this  rule,  being  much 
used  at  health  resorts  because  of  its  digestibility. 
Dried  beef  is  more  difficult  to  digest  than  fresh  beef, 
but  dried  pork  (ham  and  bacon)  is  digested  more  easily 
than  fresh  pork.  This  is  especially  true  of  bacon, 
which,  when  crisp  and  well  done,  is  regarded  as  a  very 
wholesome  heat  and  energy-giving  food. 

Of  course,  the  digestive  juices  can  more  readily  dis- 
solve tender  meat  than  that  which  is  tough.  The 
tenderness  of  meat  depends  upon  the  character  of  the 
muscle  fibers  and  the  connective  tissues  that  bind 
them  together.  In  young  and  well-fed  animals  the 
fibers  are  thin  and  the  tissues  small  in  amount.  As  the 
animals  grow  older  and  are  made  to  work,  the  walls  of 
these  fibers  and  the  connective  tissue  become  thicker 
and  harder.  Tough  meat  is  sometimes  made  more 
tender  by  being  cut  into  thin  slices  and  pounded  across 
the  cut  ends  until  the  fibers  are  broken. 


48  THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

While  raw  meat  is  more  readily  digested  than  that 
which  has  been  cooked7  civilized  people  cook  meats 
to  improve  the  flavor,  and  to  kill  any  harmful  bacteria 
they  may  contain.  We  found  that  in  cooking  eggs 
heat  hardens  the  albumen,  and  that  the  harder  the 
albumen  becomes,  the  more  difficult  it  is  for  the  diges- 
tive juices.  In  cooking  meats  to  the  best  advantage, 
this  quality  should  be  remembered.  As  albumen 
is  distributed  throughout  meat,  if  the  piece  being 
cooked  is  subjected  to  great  heat  long  enough,  it  will 
become  hardened  all  through,  causing  the  meat  to  be 
both  inferior  in  taste  and  more  difficult  to  digest. 
When  the  heat  is  not  great  enough  to  harden  the  albu- 
•men  on  the  surface  of  the  meat,  much  of<  the  water  the 
flesh  contains  escapes,  carrying  with  it  flavoring  extracts 
and  making  the  meat  less  appetizing  and  nutritious. 

We  should  remember  that  whether  meat  is  broiled, 
roasted,  boiled,  or  fried,  it  should  be  subjected  to  very 
high  heat  as  soon  as  it  is  placed  on  the  stove,  so  that 
the  albumen  on  the  surface  may  be  hardened  and  the 
juices  kept  from  escaping.  As  soon  as  this  is  accom- 
plished, the  heat  should  be  much  reduced,  and  the  meat 
kept  on  the  stove  only  long  enough  for  the  fibers  below 
the  surface  to  be  changed  to  the  condition  desired. 

It  can  be  plainly  seen  that  the  less  meat  is  cooked 
after  the  albumen  of  the  surface  has  become  hardened, 
the  more  easily  the  digestive  juices  will  be  able  to  dis- 
solve it.  On  the  other  hand,  the  more  thoroughly  it 
is  cooked,  the  less  the  danger  from  harmful  bacteria. 


OTHER  ANIMAL  FOODS  49 

As  pork  often  contains  injurious  worms  called  trichinae, 
which  are  invisible  without  the  aid  of  a  microscope, 
it  should  never  be  served  rare,  but  always  well  done. 
Whenever  there  is  doubt  about  the  condition  of  any 
meat,  the  same  precaution  should  be  taken.  If  pre- 
pared at  all,  it  should  be  thoroughly  cooked. 

How  should  a  knowledge  of  the  chemistry  of  meats 
guide  in  the  preparation  of  soups  and  stews  ?  In  these 
it  is  desirable  to  get  out  all  of  the  juices  possible.  For 
this  reason  but  little  heat  is  used,  the  meat  being 
allowed  to  simmer  for  several  hours.  Meats  are  gener- 
ally considered  to  be  the  most  difficult  to  digest  when 
fried,  and  the  easiest  to  digest  when  rare-broiled  or 
roasted. 

Another  useful  fact  to  know  about  meats  is  that 
cheaper  cuts  often  contain  a  higher  per  cent  of  building 
materials  than  those  which  are  more  expensive.  For  in- 
stance, round  steak  usually  has  more  proteid  than 
sirloin  or  "  porter-house  "  and  much  less  waste.  Many 
of  the  cheaper  cuts  from  the  neck  or  flank,  when  prop- 
erly prepared,  furnish  a  larger  proportion  of  the  use- 
ful food  elements  than  others  that  are  more  costly. 

As  meat  is  such  a  commonly  used  food,  it  is  important 
to  be  able  to  tell  that  which  is  not  wholesome.  Good 
beef  is  of  a  clear  dark  red  color.  It  is  firm  and 
compact,  contains  no  clots  of  blood,  and,  if  it  has  been 
well  nourished,  is  marbled  with  spots  of  white  fat. 
The  flesh  of  old  animals  is  darker  and  drier  than  that 
of  young  animals,  and  their  fat  is  of  a  yellowish  color. 


50          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

A  pale  pink  color  indicates  that  the  animal  was  un- 
healthy, while  a  dark  purple  hue  is  a  sign  that  it  was 
not  slaughtered  but  died  from  disease,  the  blood  re- 
maining in  the  body. 

Veal  is  pink  in  color  and  has  tender  white  fibers. 
"Bob  veal77  (that  which  has  been  killed  too  young) 
may  be  recognized  by  its  flabby  flesh  of  a  blue  tinge. 
It  is  very  unwholesome.  The  fat  of  veal  is  not  dis- 
tributed through  the  lean  as  it  is  in  beef,  and  the  same 
is  true  of  mutton.  Good  meat  has  very  little  odor,  and, 
if  any  is  noticed,  it  should  not  be  disagreeable.  Tainted 
meat  often  gives  off  an  unpleasant  odor  while  being 
cooked,  and  is  not  pleasant  to  the  taste.  If  meat  is 
wet  and  flabby  to  the  touch,  it  is  not  good,  and 
should  it  not  remain  dry  and  firm  after  being  kept  in 
a  cool  place,  it  is  probably  not  wholesome. 

Bad  pork  is  dotted  with  grayish  white  spots  about 
the  size  of  a  bean.  Dishonest  dealers  often  cut  up  such 
pork  into  sausages.  This  practice  and  the  ease  with 
which  sausage  can  be  adulterated  in  other  ways  make 
it,  to  say  the  least r  a  very  doubtful  food.  The  follow- 
ing story  illustrates  this  point  very  well.  A  little  boy 
boasted  that  he  could  tell  from  what  animals  the 
various  meats  came.  The  veal  chops  at  luncheon  he 
readily  assigned  to  the  calf,  and  the  leg  of  mutton  at 
dinner  to  the  sheep.  When  sausage  was  placed  on  the 
table  next  morning,  the  lad  looked  much  puzzled. 
However,  he  did  not  wish  to  fail  completely  in  the 
presence  of  the  grown-up  members  of  the  family; 


OTHER   ANIMAL   FOODS  51 

and  so,  when  questioned  by  an  older  sister  as  to  the 
origin  of  sausage,  replied,  "Only  the  butcher  knows." 

There  are  various  ideas  in  regard  to  the  value  of 
meat  as  a  food.  Some  think  that  eating  it  at  every 
meal  is  necessary  for  the  greatest  strength  and  vigor. 
Others  believe  themselves  much  healthier  and  stronger 
without  any  meat.  They  reason  that  people  afflicted 
with  certain  diseases  are  advised  to  eat  little  or  no 
meat.  Food  that  is  harmful  to  an  invalid,  they  think, 
may,  in  time,  injure  a  well  person.  Still  others  hold 
that  a  moderate  amount,  once  or  twice  a  day,  in  small 
quantities,  is  best,  especially  for  brain  workers. 

A  study  of  the  chemistry  of  foods,  as  well  as  a 
knowledge  of  the  remarkable  powers  of  endurance 
shown  by  the  Japanese  and  other  people  on  a  diet 
composed  largely  of  rice,  certainly  proves  that  it  is  pos- 
sible to  be  strong  and  'well  without  eating  meat.  We. 
also  see  meat  eaters  who  appear  to  be  enjoying  the  most 
vigorous  health.  Undoubtedly  the  best  plan  is  for 
each  person  to  regulate  his  diet  by  what  seems  to  be 
true  of  his  own  body.  The  truth  of  the  old  saying, 
"What  is  one  man's  meat  is  another  man's  poison," 
has  often  been  demonstrated.  In  the  use  of  meat  as  of 
other  foods,  it  is  for  us  to  learn  to  be  either  wise  or 
foolish  builders. 

But  what  about  fish?  How  do  these  finny  dwellers 
in  the  water  world,  which  so  many  people  greatly 
enjoy  luring  from  their  liquid  home,  help  in  our  struc- 
ture? Did  the  Creator  place  them  in  the  streams 


52          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

just  to  furnish  us  sport,  or  do  they  serve  a  more  useful 
purpose  as  well?  On  the  average,  they  are  composed 
of  from  seven-tenths  to  eight-tenths  water,  one-tenth 
to  two-tenths  proteid,  one-twentieth  to  one-tenth  fat, 
and  one  one-hundredth  to  two  one-hundredths  mineral 
matter.  We  can  see  they  contain  a  good  proportion 
of  the  necessary  building  materials.  This,  together 
with  the  fact  that  they  are  not  difficult  to  digest, 
makes  them  an  excellent  substitute  for  meat. 

Fish  caught  in  cold,  clear,  or  running  water  are 
usually  preferable  to  those  from  stagnant,  shallow,  or 
warm  water.  The  kinds  living  in  streams  having  a 
rocky'  or  sandy  bottom  are,  as  a  rule,  better  than  those 
found  in  streams  having  muddy  bottoms.  Fish  should 
be  killed  as  soon  as  caught.  Allowing  them  to  die 
slowly  not  only  is  cruel,  but  also,  according  to  some 
authorities,  makes  the  quality  of  the  flesh  less  desir- 
able. Some  fish  become  soft  and  flabby  when  streams 
grow  warm  in  summer,  and  should  never  be  eaten  in 
that  condition. 

The  flesh  of  fish  that  die  in  the  water  from  various 
causes  is  spongy  and  yellowish,  and  has  a  foul  odor. 
Decaying  fish  also  have  a  disagreeable  odor,  are  bluish 
in  the  under  part,  and  feel  flabby  and  sticky.  Of 
course  these  should  not  be  eaten.  Fish  that  have  been 
frozen  and  kept  for  a  time  after  being  thawed  out  are 
especially  likely  to  contain  poisons  called  ptomaines. 
If  the  water  in  which  fish  is  being  washed  or  boiled 
blackens  silver,  we  may  be  sure  it  is  not  fit  to  eat. 


OTHER  ANIMAL  FOODS  53 

Canned  fish  should  not  be  left  for  any  length  of  time 
in  the  can  after  the  latter  is  opened,  nor  should  it  be 
long  exposed  to  the  air  before  being  used  as  food. 

The  odor  of  fish  is  likely  to  taint  other  foods  kept 
uncovered  in  the  same  ice  box.  While  fish  contains 
some  phosphorus,  there  seems  to  be  no  reliable  proof 
of  the  oft -quoted  statement  that  the  finny  tribe  is  an 
especially  good  brain  food.  However,  with  the  usual 
dinner  vegetables,  fish  makes  a  hearty  meal,  and  its 
use  in  place  of  meat  might  well  be  much  greater  than 
it  is  in  this  country. 

Oysters  are  among  the  most  popular  foods  taken  from 
the  water.  Nevertheless,  they  have  a  comparatively 
small  amount  of  the  useful  food  components,  and  so  are 
an  expensive  food.  They  are  much  liked  for  their  flavor 
and  can  be  made  a  nutritious  dish  when  cooked  in  milk. 
Raw  oysters  are  said  to  be  more  easily  digested  than 
cooked,  and  fried  oysters  are  probably  more  difficult 
to  digest  than  those  cooked  in  other  ways.  Clams  and 
lobsters  are  also  comparatively  expensive  foods ;  but 
in  shrimps  one  usually  gets  better  value,  because  they 
contain  a  larger  amount  of  proteid. 


CHAPTER  X 

VEGETABLE    FOODS   AS    BODY-BUILDING   MATERIALS 

BREAD  is  often  called  the  "  staff  of  life."  What 
building  materials  does  wheat  contain  to  merit  this 
proud  title  ?  About  one-seventh  is  water,  nearly 
one-eighth  proteid,  one-hundredth  sugar,  two-hun- 
dredths  fat,  two-hundredths  mineral  matter,  and  a 
little  more  than  three-fifths  starch.  We  notice  that 
the  proportion  of  water  is  much  smaller  than  in  ani- 
mal foods,  and  that  the  amount  of  starch  is  very 
large.  Of  course  the  fat  and  proteid  are  somewhat 
increased  in  bread  by  milk  and  other  substances 
added  in  its  preparation. 

But  what  about  the  other  grains  ?  Are  they  equal  to 
wheat  in  the  food  elements  furnished?  The  composi- 
tion of  rye  is  very  similar  to  that  of  wheat,  the  proteid 
being  somewhat  less  in  amount.  Its  flour,  however, 
is  likely  to  be  infested  with  a  harmful  substance  called 
ergot,  which  gives  the  bread  a  bitter  taste  and  is  poison- 
ous. Corn  has  less  proteid  than  wheat,  and  more  than 
twice  as  much  fat,  but  its  building  materials  are  not  as 
readily  separated  from  the  non-nutritious  parts  of  the 
flour  by  the  digestive  organs  as  are  those  of  wheat.  It 
is,  nevertheless,  a  very  useful  food. 

54 


VEGETABLE  FOODS 


55 


Oatmeal  contains  three  times  as  much  fat,  twice  as 
much  mineral  matter,  and  only  a  little  less  proteid 
than  wheat.  In  Scotland  it  has  long  been  a  highly 
prized  food,  the  great  strength  and  endurance  of  the 


Threshing  Wheat. 

Scotch  Highlanders  being  thought  by  many  to  be  due 
to  the  national  dish  of  oatmeal  and  milk.  It  is  cer- 
tainly an  inexpensive  food,  and,  when  sufficiently 
cooked,  an  excellent  body  builder.  Try  to  tell  why 
both  oatmeal  and  corn  meal  are  good  winter  foods, 
and  give  a  good  reason  for  wheat  foods  being  more 
desirable  for  summer  use. 

Rice  is  about  three-fourths  starch,  less  than  six- 
hundredths  proteid,  and  has  about  the  same  amount 
of  fat  as  wheat.  Being  low  in  its  percentage  of 
both  proteid  and  fat,  it  is  the  least  nutritious  of  all 
the  grains  in  common  use  in  this  country;  but  its 


56          THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

large  amount  of  starch  and  ease  of  digestion  make  it  so 
valuable  that  in  China  and  Japan  it  is  the  principal 
food. 

Let  us  consider  something  that  is  really  very  curious 
about  the  common,  everyday  process  of  bread  making. 
Yeast,  which  is  commonly  used  to  make  bread  dough 
rise,  is  made  up  of  very  tiny  plants  that  are  closely 
related  to  bacteria.  When  these  yeast  plants  are 
placed  in  the  dough,  they  increase  rapidly,  and,  uniting 
with  the  sugar,  produce  carbonic  acid  gas  and  alcohol. 
The  gas  in  attempting  to  escape  raises  the  dough, 
making  it  light,  and  the  alcohol  evaporates.  Yeast 
grows  best  in  a  temperature  of  from  seventy  to  ninety 
degrees,  the  higher  being  desirable  in  winter,  because 
of  the  coldness  of  the  flour. 

If  the  yeast  is  allowed  to  grow  too  long  or  at  too 
high  a  temperature,  it  acquires  a  sour  flavor.  The 
number  of  hours  allowed  bread  to  rise  depends  upon 
the  temperature,  from  five  to  ten  being  the  usual 
number.  The  oven  should  be  hot  when  the  dough 
is  placed  within,  in  order  that  the  yeast  plant  may 
be  quickly  destroyed.  Afterward  the  heat  should  be 
reduced,  and  the  bread  kept  in  long  enough  to  be 
thoroughly  baked. 

Baking  powders  are  used  instead  of  yeast  in  making 
biscuit  and  similar  preparations.  These  powders  con- 
tain mineral  substances,  which,  when  united  with 
water  and  flour,  form  carbonic  acid  gas  that  raises  .the 
dough.  If  yeast  or  something  similar  were  not  used 


VEGETABLE  FOODS  57 

to  leaven  bread,  the  loaves  would  be  heavier,  much 
smaller,  and  not  nearly  so  appetizing.  After  bread  is 
baked,  it  should  be  left  where  it  can  be  aerated.  A 
wire  dish  in  which  air  has  a  chance  to  circulate  freely 
is  excellent  for  this  purpose.  The  bread  should  then 
be  placed  in  a  covered  tin  box,  both  to  keep  mold 
spores  off  and  to  prevent  it  from  becoming  dry  and 
unpalatable. 

Moldy  bread  is  unwholesome  and  should  not  be 
eaten.  Dry  bread  can  be  made  more  palatable  by 
steaming  or  by  dipping  it  in  water  and  rebaking,  as 
this  supplies  water  in  place  of  what  has  been  evapo- 
rated. Flour  when  exposed  to  air  absorbs  moisture, 
in  which  condition  mold  is  likely  to  develop.  On 
this  account  it  should  be  kept  in  a  covered  box  or 
barrel  in  a  dry  place.  The  box  or  jar  in  which 
bread  is  kept  should  be  frequently  washed  out  with 
hot  water  to  remove  any  mold  spores  that  may 
have  collected. 

Many  foolish  customs  are  the  result  of  fashion. 
Perhaps  one  of  these  is  the  preference  many  house- 
keepers seem  to  have  for  the  whitest  bread.  Knowing 
this,  manufacturers  naturally  try  to  produce  flour 
of  the  whitest  possible  brand.  To  do  so  the  outside 
husk  must  be  sifted  out,  and  as  these  layers  contain 
much  of  the  proteid  and  the  mineral  components  of  the 
grain,  very  useful  materials  are  not  included.  How 
foolish  it  would  seem  to  put  beef  through  some  pro- 
cess that  would  separate  all  the  fat,  just  because  the 


58  THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

lean  meat  might  appear  handsomer!  And  yet,  from 
the  standpoint  of  food  value,  separating  the  outside 
layers  from  the  kernel  of  wheat  to  produce  whiter  flour 
is  similar. 

Whole  wheat  or  entire  wheat  flour  contains  all 
the  layers  of  the  kernel  ground  up  together.  It  can 
be  obtained  by  grocers  in  the  same  sized  sacks  that 
are  used  in  shipping  white  flour,  and  at  almost  the 
same  expense.  The  coarser  bran  it  contains  is  usually 
a.  helpful  stimulant  to  the  muscles  of  the  intestines. 
Physicians  often  recommend  it  on  this  account,  as 
well  as  because  of  its  great  nutrition. 

Another  important  fact  to  know  about  bread  is  that 
the  home-made  article  is  usually  cheaper  and  more 
wholesome  than^hat  which  is  purchased  from  the  store. 
This  follows  because  alum  and  other  harmful  sub- 
stances are  often  added  to  make  baker's  bread  light. 
The  actual  cost  of  the  materials  of  a  loaf  of  bread  is 
estimated  at  about  two  cents.  As  a  patent  bread 
maker  has  recently  been  invented  that  greatly  lessens 
both  the  time  and  the  work  of  making  bread,  the  labor 
required  is  much  less  than  it  used  to  be.  By  baking 
at  home,  money  can  be  saved  and  better  bread  ob- 
tained. Then  there  is  no  doubt  as  to  how  and  where 
the  dough  was  handled,  nor,  in  the  clean  home  pan- 
try, do  the  germs  that  infest  the  air  have  the  oppor- 
tunity that  is  given  them  in  the  bake  shop,  store,  and 
wagons  where  the  loaves  must  necessarily  be  placed 
before  reaching  our  homes. 


VEGETABLE  FOODS 


59 


But  what  about  the  digestibility  of  bread?  Is  it 
ever  necessary  to  be  careful  about  such  plain  food,  and 
will  a  knowledge  of  chemistry  aid  our  judgment  in 
this  respect?  If  people  were  always  well,  such  infor- 
mation would  not  be 
necessary,  but  as  almost 
every  one  is  likely  now 
and  then  to  feel  ill,  facts 
about  this  common  food 
may  be  useful.  Bread  a 
day  or  more  old  is  more 
easily  digested  than  new- 
ly baked  bread,  as  the 
latter  may  cause  fermen- 
tation in  a  delicate  stom- 
ach. During  the  process 
of  baking,  heat  changes 
some  of  the  starch  of 
flour  to  dextrine,  or  grape 
sugar,  which  is  more 
easily  digested  than 
starch.  On  this  account, 
and  because  it  is  lighter,  well-done  bread  is  easier  to 
digest  than  that  which  is  soggy.  For  a  similar  reason, 
toast  is  a  very  excellent  form  of  bread  food.  Another 
advantage  of  toast  is  that  it  must  of  necessity  be  chewed 
more  thoroughly  than  bread  before  being  swallowed; 
but  this  advantage  is  lost  when  it  is  soaked  in  milk 
or  some  other  liquid. 


The  Chautauqua  Bread  Mixer. 
A  child  can  operate  it. 


60          THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

Plain,  well-done  bread  or  toast  is  undoubtedly  the 
best  form  of  body-building  material  prepared  from 
flour,  and  much  more  easily  digested  than  biscuit, 
muffins,  and  various  forms  of  hot  bread.  Pancakes, 
pastry,  doughnuts,  and  other  cakes  are  probably  the 
least  digestible  forms  into  which  flour  is  made.  While 
the  eggs,  butter,  sugar,  and  other  materials  united  with 
flour  to  form  the  numerous  pies  and  cakes  may  them- 
selves be  excellent  foods,  the  combination  resulting  is 
often  far  less  easily  digested  than  the  single  components. 
One  reason  why  muffins,  biscuit,  and  the  various  cakes 
are  not  as  wholesome  as  bread,  is  that  they  cannot  be 
cooked  long  enough  to  properly  break  up  the  starch 
granules  as  is  done  by  the  thirty  or  forty  minutes' 
baking  given  to  bread.  These  minute  starch  gran- 
ules, when  subjected  to  heat  the  necessary  time,  pop 
open  like  kernels  of  pop-corn.  When  the  starch  gran- 
ules are  not  broken  open  in  this  way,  they  are  nec- 
essarily more  difficult  to  digest. 

The  best  that  can  be  said  for  pies  and  cakes  is  that 
they  should  be  eaten  only  in  small  quantities,  if  at  all. 
Usually  they  are  in  a  form  that  does  not  admit  of  much 
chewing.  On  this  account,  they  are  often  swallowed 
half  masticated,  the  digestive  juices  in  the  stomach 
and  intestines  being  left  with  an  unnecessarily  large 
amount  of  work  to  perform.  To  depend  upon  such 
foods  for  the  proteid,  starch,  fat,  and  sugar  our  bodies 
need  for  repair  and  growth,  is  as  unwise  as  it  would  be 
for  the  carpenter  to  make  large  use  of  woods  that  are 


VEGETABLE  FOODS  61 

the  most  difficult  to  be  shaped  and  changed  to  the 
form  his  building  needs. 

Children  often  eat  a  second  piece  of  pie  or  cake  at 
meals,  or  buy  doughnuts  or  other  indigestible  bread- 
stuffs  at  the  baker's  shop  between  meals,  and  feel  great 
satisfaction  because  for  a  few  moments  their  taste  is 
pleased.  But  what  foolish  enjoyment  this  is !  To 
load  our  digestive  organs  with  cumbersome  food  when 
they  could  get  a  greater  amount  of  building  material 
far  more  easily  from  other  sources !  How  often  it 
happens  that  people  who  please  their  palates  in  this  way 
lose  much  of  the  real  fun  and  satisfaction  that  come  from 
the  full  enjoyment  of  play  and  work  !  How  many  times 
children  who  are  naturally  pleasing  and  bright  become 
disagreeable  and  dull  in  school,  largely  because  their 
digestive  organs  are  burdened  with  indigestible  food ! 

What  a  poor  trade  it  is  to  spend  pennies,  that  might 
buy  something  useful,  for  food  that  handicaps  the  body  ! 
How  thoughtless  children  are  to  exchange  the  chance 
of  doing  their  best  work  in  school  and  having  the 
fullest  enjoyment  of  play  for  just  a  few  moments  of 
pleasing  the  taste  !  We  should  remember  that  bread, 
if  simply  and  properly  prepared,  may  well  be  called 
the  "  staff  of  life/'  for,  when  eaten  with  butter  or 
some  other  food  rich  in  fat,  it  furnishes  a  good  pro- 
portion of  all  the  building  elements.  We  should  also 
keep  in  mind  the  fact  that  flour,  when  made  into  pies 
and  cakes,  makes  a  weak  staff,  indeed,  and  one  we 
should  lean  upon  very  little. 


62          THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

Next  to  wheat,  no  vegetable  product  is  more  com- 
monly used  in  this  country  than  potatoes.  Although 
they  may  seem  one  of  our  most  valuable  food  friends, 
the  amount  of  building  substances  potatoes  contain 
is  really  very  small.  About  three-fourths  is  water, 
a  little  less  than  one-fifth  starch,  and  nearly  one- 
hundredth,  salts.  If  a  person  were  compelled  to  rely 
on  potatoes  alone  for  food,  from  twelve  to  fifteen 
pounds  would  be  required  daily.  Why,  then,  is  this 
tuber  so  commonly  eaten?  Simply  because  it  grows 
well  in  a  great  variety  of  soils  and  climates,  and 
also  keeps  in  good  condition  throughout  the  winter. 
Besides,  as  its  starch  digests  readily,  and  its  min- 
eral salts  are  valuable,  the  potato  becomes  a  very 
useful  food  when  eaten  with  meat,  butter,  and  other 
foods  that  supply  what  it  lacks  of  fat  and  proteid. 

Much  of  the  valuable  part  of  potatoes  is  often  lost 
in  their  preparation  for  the  table.  When  they  are 
pared  and  soaked  in  cold  water  before  cooking,  or 
placed  in  cold  or  moderately  warm  water  to  boil, 
there  is  likely  to  be  much  loss  of  the  nutritive  parts. 
These  are  best  retained  when  potatoes  are  boiled  or 
baked  with  the  skins  on.  They  should  be  put  into 
very  hot  water  for  boiling,  or  into  a  hot  oven  for  bak- 
ing, so  that  the  surface  may  quickly  become  hardened, 
and  the  loss  of  useful  materials  prevented.  Baked 
potatoes  are  considered  the  most  easily  digested,  and, 
whether  boiled  or  baked,  those  that  are  of  a  mealy 
texture  when  served  are  to  be  preferred  to  the  soggy 


VEGETABLE  FOODS  63 

ones.  Probably  fried  potatoes  are  the  most  difficult 
to  digest.  The  starch  in  potatoes,  like  that  in  flour, 
requires  at  least  thirty  minutes'  cooking  to  become 
digestible. 

Most  other  vegetables  in  common  use  are  valuable 
chiefly  because  of  their  flavor  and  good  effect  on  the 
digestive  organs  and  blood.  As  a  rule,  they  contain 
much  water,  little  proteid  and  fat,  and  a  small  per- 
centage of  sugar,  besides  useful  salts.  For  instance, 
turnips,  carrots,  and  parsnips  contain  from  eight- 
tenths  to  nine-tenths  water,  about  one-hundredth 
each  of  proteid  and  mineral  salts,  about  one-half 
as  much  fat  as  proteid,  from  one-twentieth  to  two- 
twentieths  starch,  and  from  two-hundredths  to  six- 
hundredths  sugar.  Nevertheless,  they  are  all  highly 
prized  for  their  flavor  and  salts. 

Lettuce,  onions,  and  celery  are  considered  especially 
good  for  the  blood  and  nervous  system.  Spinach, 
dandelions,  and  rhubarb  are  regarded  as  healthful 
stimulants  for  the  liver  and  digestive  organs;  while 
asparagus,  carrots,  tomatoes,  and  others  are  by  many 
rated  equally  valuable  for  various  reasons.  All  are 
useful  in  furnishing  a  variety  of  diet  and  in  adding 
to  the  bulk  of  food  in  the  intestines.  As  bulk  helps 
the  muscles  of  the  intestines  to  perform  the  work  of 
getting  rid  of  waste  material,  this  is  an  important 
service.  Constipation,  especially  in  children,  is  fre- 
quently caused  because  the  bulk  of  food  is  insufficient. 

The  vegetables  that  have  comparatively  the  largest 


64          THE    WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

amount  of  building  and  fuel  materials  are  the  legumes. 
Peas  and  beans  are  the  most  common  specimens  of 
these  used  in  America  and  Europe.  In  their  ripened 
and  dried  state  beans  are  about  one-eighth  water, 
•a  little  more  than  one-fifth  proteid,  two-hundredths 
fat,  three-fifths  starch  and  sugar,  and  about  three- 
hundredths  salts.  Peas  have  a  little  less  water  and 
fat,  but  a  slightly  larger  percentage  of  proteid, 
starch,  and  sugar.  As  legumes  are  so  inexpensive, 
and  at  the  same  time  so  abundantly  supplied  with 
proteid,  why  are  they  not  more  largely  relied  upon 
for  tissue-building  food  ?  Chiefly  because  it  is  difficult 
for  some  people  to  digest  them  on  account  of  the  tough 
outer  fiber. 

If  dried  peas  and  beans  are  soaked  several  hours 
before  being  placed  on  the  stove,  and  are  cooked  a  long 
time,  this  fiber  does  not  cause  so  much  disturbance. 
If,  after  such  preparation,  they  are  put  through  a 
colander,  the  fibrous  part  is  largely  removed,  and  what 
passes  through  may  be  made  into  broth  that  is  nourish- 
ing and  not  so  difficult  to  digest.  String-beans  and 
green  lima  beans  are  much  less  nutritious  than  the 
ripened  dried  beans,  and  green  peas  have  the  im- 
portant food  substances  in  considerably  smaller 
amounts  than  ripe  dried  peas.  When  canned,  all  three 
lose  about  one-half  their  useful  food  components. 

Nuts  are  also  very  nutritious  foods.  They  contain 
from  about  one-seventh  to  one-fourth  proteid,  from 
one-fourth  to  three-fifths  fat,  from  one-twentieth  to 


VEGETABLE  FOODS  65 

one-fifth  sugar  and  starch,  and  from  one-hundredth 
to  three-hundredths  salts.  Walnuts,  almonds,  and 
peanuts  are  the  most  nutritious  varieties  in  common 
use.  Like  legumes,  they  are  difficult  to  digest,  and, 
as  a  rule,  should  not  be  eaten  in  large  quantities. 
Nevertheless,  their  body-building  value  is  highly  es- 
teemed, some  people  even  claiming  that  they  have 
kept  in  good  health  on  nuts  and  fruits  without 
other  foods.  Attempts  have  been  made  to  prepare 
nuts  in  a  form  that  will  be  more  easily  digested. 
Probably  peanut  butter  is  the  most  widely  used  of 
such  preparations. 

Although  apples  have  from  three-hundredths  to 
eight-hundredths  of  proteid,  and  bananas  as  high 
as  six-hundredths  of  proteid  and  about  one-hun- 
dredth of  fat,  the  building  and  fuel  value  of  most 
fruits  is  small.  As  a  rule,  they  are  composed  of 
water  and  from  one-hundredth  to  one-fifth  of  sugar. 
Fruits  are,  however,  highly  prized  for  their  delicious 
flavors  and  good  effect  on  the  digestive  organs.  For 
the  latter,  they  are  a  natural  stimulant,  and,  when 
ripe,  may  be  very  beneficial.  Money  spent  for  fruit, 
especially  for  breakfast,  is  a  good  health  investment. 

The  fibrous  and  cellular  parts  of  fruits  are  the  least 
easily  digested,  but  are  valuable  in  adding  to  the  bulk 
of  food  in  the  intestines.  Bananas,  though  difficult  to 
digest,  are  much  used  as  a  staple  food  in  tropical  coun- 
tries, because  they  contain  some  proteid  and  fat  as  well 
as  sugar.  Under  the  skin  of  bananas,  adhering  to  the 


66          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

solid  part,  is  a  stringy,  white,  fibrous  substance  that 
does  not  add  to  the  flavor  and  is  especially  indigestible. 
Some  who  have  not  been  able  to  digest  bananas 
readily  with  this  covering  unremoved,  find  that  when 
it  is  scraped  off,  the  difficulty  is  greatly  lessened. 
Apples,  as  a  rule,  are  not  difficult  to  digest  and  are 
prized  for  their  beneficial  effects.  Baked  apples  are 
usually  very  easily  digested.  For  many,  oranges 
are  excellent,  because  of  their  refreshing  acid  and  ease 
of  digestion. 

Raspberries  have  comparatively  little  juice,  and  as 
their  seeds  may  irritate  the  intestines,  some  people 
find  it  best  not  to  eat  them.  Both  green  and  decayed 
fruits  are  unwholesome  and  should  not  be  eaten,  as 
they  are  likely  to  cause  serious  sickness.  For  a  similar 
reason,  factory-prepared  jellies  and  jams  should  be 
avoided,  unless  the  makers  are  known  to  be  reliable, 
as  unwholesome  fruits  are  said  to  be  used  in  their 
manufacture.  Although  the  digestibility  of  some 
fruits,  notably  apples,  is  improved  by  cooking,  stewed 
or  canned  fruits  are  not  as  beneficial  as  fruit  in  the 
fresh  state,  for,  as  a  rule,  their  acids  have  been 
changed,  and  the  large  amount  of  sugar  usually  added 
increases  the  difficulty  of  digestion. 

Like  legumes,  fruits  contain  a  much  larger  portion 
of  nutritive  material  when  dried  than  when  fresh. 
Dried  figs,  dates,  prunes,  and  grapes  (raisins)  are  com- 
paratively rich  in  food  value,  and,  when  freed  from 
the  skins  and  seeds,  are  not  indigestible.  Prunes,  after 


VEGETABLE  FOODS  67 

being  soaked  and  stewed,  are  especially  prized  for  their 
laxative  effect  on  the  intestines.  Dried  apples,  peaches, 
and  apricots,  when  prepared  in  a  similar  manner,  are 
an  inexpensive  and  useful  food  for  those  who  find 
fresh  fruits  too  costly.  Fruit  that  has  been  put  up  in 
tin  cans  should  not  be  left  standing  in  these  after  being 
opened,  nor  should  it  remain  long  uncovered  in  any 
dish.  If  the  bottom  of  a  tin  can  of  fruit  or  vegetables 
bulges  out,  it  is  a  sign  of  fermentation.  On  this  ac- 
count, the  contents  of  the  can  should  not  be  eaten,  for 
they  are  unwholesome. 

Is  it  necessary  to  look  out  for  bacteria  and  mold  in 
canning  fruit  ?  During  the  entire  process,  care  is  taken 
to  guard  against  them.  Both  fruit  and  vegetables 
are  subjected  to  high  heat  to  kill  all  of  these  little 
destroyers  that  may  be  on  them.  Sugar  is  added  to 
fruit,  not  only  to  season  it,  but  also  because  bacteria 
do  not  readily  work  in  substances  having  much  sugar. 
Cans  and  jars  are  also  covered  or  tightly  sealed  to  keep 
out  the  air  with  its  ever  present  destructive  army. 

A  cool,  dry  part  of  the  cellar  is  the  best  place  in 
which  to  keep  canned  fruit,  because  bacteria  and 
mold  work  less  readily  in  a  low  temperature  and  dry 
air.  A  dark  place  is  also  considered  better  for  glass 
cans  of  fruit  than  one  that  is  light.  Where  there  is 
not  a  closed  fruit  closet,  paper  is  often  wrapped  about 
such  cans  to  exclude  the  light.  In  fact,  though  they 
may  not  know  it,  the  great  struggle  of  housewives  in 
the  canning  process  is  to  exclude  the  invisible  mold 


68  THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

spores.  The  same  thing  is  true  in  keeping  fresh  fruit, 
and  for  this  reason  it  should  always  be  kept  covered  in 
a  cool  place.  If  some  of  the  fruit  purchased  is  found  to 
be  partly  decayed,  it  should  at  once  be  removed  from 
the  rest,  as  mold  spores  spread  rapidly  to  the  sound 
fruit. 

To  prevent  the  spreading  of  mold  spores,  oranges, 
lemons,  and  other  fruits  are  frequently  wrapped  in 
light  paper  before  shipment.  Wiping  the  skin  off  oc- 
casionally with  a  cloth  aids  in  the  preservation  of  some 
fruits,  because  this  removes  the  mold  spores.  Per- 
haps, when  we  have  seen  the  old  apple  woman  pol- 
ishing her  wares,  we  may  have  thought  it  was  simply 
to  make  them  more  attractive ;  but  she  knows  it  also 
helps  to  prevent  decay.  Fruit  that  is  found  to  be 
too  green  for  present  use  will  usually  ripen  and  become 
wholesome,  if  kept  for  a  time. 

Because  of  its  cost  and  health-giving  qualities,  fruit 
should  not  be  allowed  to  waste.  We  should  cherish 
it  as  a  most  helpful  building  ally,  and  one  that  will 
greatly  assist  the  body  in  getting  the  most  good  from 
other  foods  rich  in  the  necessary  building  and  fuel 
materials.  It  is  excellent  for  desserts,  especially  when 
eaten  in  place  of  the  rich  pastry  and  cake  in  common 
use.  It  satisfies  the  craving  for  sweets  without  crowd- 
ing the  already  filled  stomach  with  bulky  foods  from 
which  our  digestive  organs  cannot  readily  separate  the 
nutriment. 


CHAPTER  XI 

BUILDING    MATERIALS    FOR   JACK'S   HOUSE — BEVERAGES 

WE  have  found  out  how  most  foods  commonly  served 
at  the  table  may  help  keep  our  bodies  in  healthful 
condition.  What  about  the  familiar  acquaintances, 
coffee  and  tea?  Of  what  use  are  they  to  our  bodies? 
No  one  claims  that  they  furnish  food  materials,  ex- 
cept in  the  cream  and  sugar  used  in  their  seasoning. 
Though  tea  is  made  from  the  leaves  of  one  plant,  and 
coffee  from  the  seeds  of  another,  both  contain  a  sub- 
stance that  acts  as  a  stimulant. 

When  properly  prepared,  they  are  possibly  healthful 
stimulants  to  many  people,  especially  when  sufficient 
nutriment  is  supplied  by  other  foods.  Some  have 
stopped  using  tea  or  coffee,  because  they  found  it  made 
them  sleepless,  or  injured  their  digestion.  Others  are 
strong  in  the  belief  that  the  use  of  one  or  both  is  very 
beneficial  to  them.  The  greatest  difficulty,  no  doubt, 
is  that  many  use  them  to  excess,  and,  forgetting  that 
they  are  only  stimulants,  get  into  the  habit  of  depend- 
ing on  the  cup  of  coffee  or  tea  and  some  food  not  rich 
in  nutrition  to  furnish  strength  for  hours  of  work. 
Like  other  food  questions,  this  is  something  each 
adult  should  settle  for  himself,  being  governed  not  by 


70          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

appetite,  but  by  what  experience  shows  is  best  for  his 
body.  As  far  as  children  are  concerned,  there  is  no 
question.  Growing  bodies  need  nutriment,  not  stimu- 
lants, and  young  people  who  care  to  be  healthy  and 
vigorous  should  not  risk  using  either  coffee  or  tea. 

Tea  leaves  contain  a  substance  called  tannin,  which, 
when  dissolved  in  >the  process  of  making,  gives  a  bitter 
taste  to  the  liquid  and  retards  the  digestion  of  other 
foods.  On  this  account,  tea  should  be  prepared  as 
follows :  pour  boiling  water  on  the  tea  leaves  and  allow 
it  to  remain  without  boiling  four  minutes.  Then  strain 
the  liquid  into  a  hot  earthen  pot.  Do  not  allow  the 
leaves  to  stay  in  the  hot  water  a  longer  time,  as 
the  harmful  tannin  will  be  dissolved.  Tea  that  tastes 
bitter  should  not  be  d,runk,  for  this  is  a  sure  sign  that 
it  contains  tannin. 

But  how  is  it  with  the  beverage  friends,  chocolate 
and  cocoa?  Do  they  simply  stimulate  the  body 
without  giving  building  and  fuel  materials  ?  They  are 
both  made  from  the  cocoa  bean,  which,  like  coffee,  is 
the  seed  of  a  small  tree.  Besides,  having  stimulating 
properties  very  similar  to  those  of  coffee  and  tea, 
cocoa  seeds  are  about  one-fifth  proteid,  one-half  fat, 
and  one-tenth  starch.  When  these  seeds  have  been 
roasted  and  divested  of  their  husks,  they  are  known 
as  cocoa  nibs.  These  are  ground  into  an  oily  paste, 
mixed  with  sugar  and  flavoring  matter,  usually  vanilla, 
and  allowed  to  harden  into  small  cakes,  to  make  choco- 
late. 


BEVERAGES 


71 


Cocoa  is  the  nibs  alone,  from  which  most  of  the  oil 
has  been  extracted,  either  ground  or  unground,  dried  or 
powdered,  or  the  crude  paste  dried  into  flakes.  On 
this  account,  cocoa  is  easier  to  digest  than  chocolate, 


Cocoa  Pods  and  Leaves. 

this  being  especially  true  of  some  varieties  from  which 
about  half  the  fat  has  been  extracted  in  the  course 
of  manufacture.  In  making  tea  or  coffee,  care  is 
taken  to  dissolve  only  the  part  that  is  stimulating; 
but  in  preparing  chocolate  or  cocoa,  the  entire  sub- 
stance is  dissolved  in  hot  milk  or  water,  making  a 
nutritious  as  well  as  a  healthfully  stimulating  food. 
Why  it  is  wise  to  let  such  beverages  displace  coffee  and 
tea  can  readily  be  seen.  Few  try  faithfully  to  do  so 
without  becoming  equally  fond  of  the  substitutes. 


72          THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

In  regard  to  soda  water,  ginger  ale,  pop,  and  the 
numerous  so-called  soft-drinks,  the  value  of  the  little 
nutriment  they  may  possess  is  usually  lessened  by 
the  presence  of  some  flavoring  extracts  that  are  diffi- 
cult to  digest.  Unless  made  from  pure  fruit  juice, 
such  drinks  are,  from  the  standpoint  of  the  good  of 
the  body,  poor  investments.  The  popular  ice-cream 
soda  furnishes  much  better  value,  though  plain  ice- 
cream is  probably  more  readily  digested.  The  habit  of 
taking  any  of  these  after  a  hearty  meal,  when  the 
digestive  organs  are  already  occupied  with  sufficient 
food,  is  not  a  wise  one.  By  chilling  the  stomach  they 
check  its  activity.  Such  drinks  may  also  cause  sour 
stomach. 

As  to  beer,  ale,  wine,  whisky,  and  other  alcoholic 
drinks,  the  claim  cannot  be  made  that  they  furnish 
any  building  material  to  our  bodies.  Besides  water, 
their  most  important  ingredient  is  alcohol,  which  is 
a  stimulant  and  in  no  important  degree  a  food. 
People  who  select  their  diet  wisely  use  any  food  or 
drink  for  one  of  two  good  reasons.  First,  that  it 
furnishes  the  necessary  tissue-building  or  energy- 
producing  materials.  Second,  that  it  helps  the  diges- 
tive organs  to  make  better  use  of  nutritious  foods 
that  have  been  eaten. 

Do  alcoholic  drinks  serve  either  of  these  purposes? 
Wine  is  made  from  grapes,  beer  from  barley,  and 
whisky  from  rye.  No  one  can  dispute  that  grapes, 
barley,  and  rye  contain  helpful  building  materials. 


BEVERAGES  73 

Why  should  not  their  product  be  similar?  Our  little 
acquaintances,  the  yeast  plants,  help  to  answer  this 
question.  In  the  process  of  manufacturing  alcoholic 
drinks,  multitudes  of  these  tiny  plants  change  the 
sugar  of  these  substances  to  alcohol  and  carbonic  acid 
gas.  The  carbonic  acid  gas  passes  off,  and  leaves 
alcohol  and  water  the  principal  ingredients. 

Then  surely  alcoholic  drinks  must  help  the  digestive 
organs  to  make  better  use  of  other  foods,  or  they  would 
not  be  so  largely  used  !  On  the  contrary,  it  has  been 
found  that  alcohol,  instead  of  helping,  retards  digestion, 
especially  of  proteids.  If  such  drinks  are  used  to  any 
great  extent,  they  weaken  the  muscles,  harden  the 
tissues,  and  so  derange  the  heart,  liver,  kidneys,  and 
other  important  organs  that  a  person's  comfort,  useful- 
ness, ability  to  resist  disease,  and  length  of  life  may 
all  be  greatly  lessened. 

.  Some  people  swallow  an  alcoholic  drink  when  they 
are  cold,  thinking  it  will  warm  their  bodies.  It  does 
seem  to  do  so,  because  alcohol  makes  the  heart  beat 
faster  and  drives  blood  to  the  surface  of  the  body. 
It  must  soon  rest  from  this  over-stimulation,  however, 
and  the  general  warmth  will  become  diminished.  A 
cup  of  hot  lemonade  or  hot  milk  is  far  better,  be- 
cause either  warms  the  body  without  causing  over- 
stimulation  and  consequent  reaction.  A  drunkard 
freezes  easily  because  alcohol  causes  the  heart  to  drive 
too  much  blood  to  the  surface  of  the  body,  and  so  an 
undue  amount  of  heat  radiates  from  the  skin. 


74          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

Few  inhabitants  of  temperate  zones  ever  have  to 
endure  such  cold  as  do  explorers  who  visit  the  arctic 
regions.  Men  who  have  been  engaged  in  such  ex- 
peditions testify  that  they  endured  the  cold  much 
better  when  they  abstained  from  alcoholic  drinks.  In 
a  recent  interview,  the  distinguished  explorer,  Com- 
mander Robert  E.  Peary,  said :  "A  man  must  abstain 
from  all  stimulants  in  the  polar  regions.  Liquor  is 
altogether  out  of  the  question  there."  Under  some 
conditions,  however,  such  liquors  are  considered  use- 
ful ;  for  instance,  when,  because  of  disease,  accident,  or 
fainting,  one's  vitality  is  at  a  very  low  ebb  and  some- 
thing is  needed  that  will  quickly  stimulate  the  heart's 
action.  Yet,  like  other  poisonous  medicines,  they 
should  be  used  only  when  prescribed  by  a  physician. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  describe  the  effect  of  alcohol 
on  the  muscles  and  the  will.  Unfortunately  the  sight 
of  a  drunkard  is  too  common.  Nearly  all  have  learned 
from  observation  how  this  spurious  food,  instead  of 
nourishing  or  helping  the  body,  causes  the  brain  to 
lose  control  of  the  muscles  and  sends  its  victim  stag- 
gering along  the  streets. 

What  reader  of  the  morning  paper  does  not  daily 
learn  of  its  degrading  effect  on  men's  wills  ?  One  per- 
son has  conducted  himself  in  a  boisterous  or  shameful 
manner.  Another  has  beaten^,  wife  or  child.  Perhaps 
a  third  has  been  killed,  or  maybe  has  taken  another 
person's  life.  And  each  account  ends  with  the  same 
explanation,  "He  was  drunk."  What  community 


BEVERAGES  75 

has  not  men  who  were  once  truly  respected,  but  who 
have  gradually  fallen  in  the  estimation  of  their  neigh- 
bors to  objects  merely  of  pity  or  contempt?  Why? 
Because  alcoholic  drinks,  instead  of  nourishing  their 
bodies  or  healthfully  stimulating  them,  have  simply 
served  as  a  poison  to  paralyze  the  muscles  and  piti- 
fully weaken  both  body  and  will !  What  prison  does 
not  show  liquor  to  be  the  cause  of  the  disgrace  of  nine- 
tenths  of  its  occupants?  What  poor-house  or  insane 
asylum  but  records  the  same  unhappy  tale  ? 

The  habit  of  using  too  much  coffee,  tea,  or  rich 
food  may  impair  vigor,  and  change  a  man's  disposition 
enough  to  make  him  less  companionable  at  times. 
By  one  or  both  of  these  results,  his  material  pros- 
perity and  that  of  his  family  may  be  affected. 
Such  excesses,  however,  rarely  lead  to  disgrace,  and 
the  great  injury  usually  ends  with  himself.  The 
results  from  over-indulgence  in  alcoholic  drinks  are 
far  different.  The  person  may  become  not  only  un- 
companionable but  brutal.  Habits  of  work  often 
change  so  that  business  and  property  are  allowed  to 
go  to  ruin.  Wife  and  children,  besides  being  over- 
whelmed with  disgrace,  are  robbed  of  the  comforts 
and  advantages  which  would  have  been  theirs,  had  the 
appetite  for  alcohol  never  been  formed.  No  one  can 
tell  the  hopes,  the  ambition,  the  sweetness,  and  the 
love  that  have  been  blighted  by  intoxicating  drinks. 
What  misery  and  despair  they  have  caused,  none  can 
picture.  It  is  beyond  the  power  of  words, 


76          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

But  many  persons  use  liquor  daily  and  never  become 
drunkards.  In  fact,  they  live  reasonably  long  lives, 
and  think  themselves  healthier  and  stronger  because 
of  the  habit.  A  slight  acquaintance  with  the  chemis- 
try of  foods  shows  that  this  cannot  be  true.  If  any 
one  who  considers  himself  in  better  health  because  of 
using  liquor  will  go  without  it  for  two  months,  honestly 
trying  to  find  out  which  is  better  for  his  body,  he  will 
not  hesitate  to  give  up  the  habit.  This  he  will  do, 
not  only  on  account  of  the  money  saved,  but  also 
because  health  is  bound  to  be  better  when  the  digestive 
organs  are  spared  the  unnecessary  burden  of  getting 
rid  of  liquors  that  are  not  foods.  Instead  of  furnish- 
ing nourishment,  such  drinks  bring  on  diseases  which 
develop  insidiously  and  cut  off  many  useful  men  in 
the  prime  of  life.  The  fact  that  any  one  needs  alcohol 
or  any  stimulant  except  on  rare  occasions  is,  to  say  the 
least,  a  confession  of  weakness.  It  is  borrowing  at  a 
high  price,  for  severe  penalty  is  sure  to  follow. 

The  digestive  organs  of  dogs  are  so  much  like  our 
own  that  the  effect  foods  and  medicines  will  have  on 
men  may  often  be  judged  by  their  effect  on  these 
animals.  If  it  is  nourishing  or  helpful  to  them,  it 
will,  as  a  rule,  be  useful  to  men.  If  any  substance 
is  poisonous  to  them,  or  lessens  their  strength  and 
vitality,  it  is  likely  to  have  a  similar  effect  upon  people. 
Of  course,  a  greater  quantity  is  generally  required  to 
produce  a  corresponding  effect  on  men  because  of  the 
difference  in  size. 


BEVERAGES  11 

Dr.  C.  F.  Hodge  of  Clark  University,  Worcester, 
Massachusetts,  has  reported  some  interesting  experi- 
ments in  feeding  alcohol  to  dogs.  He  selected  four  that 
were  born  on  the  twenty-second  day  of  February,  1895. 
Of  these  two,  Nig  and  Bum,  were  brothers,  and  the 
other  two,  Topsy  and  Tipsy,  were  sisters  from  another 
litter.  Nig  and  Topsy  were  placed  in  a  kennel  by 
themselves  and  given  the  ordinary  dog  food.  Bum 
and  Tipsy  were  likewise  placed  in  a  kennel  by  them- 
selves, but,  as  their  names  might  indicate,  alcohol 
was  mixed  with  their  food  each  day.  They  would 
not  have  eaten  such  food  if  they  could  have  procured 
other,  for  in  this  respect,  at  least,  dogs  are  wiser  than 
some  men. 

No  special  difference  was  noticed  in  the  occupants 
of  the  two  kennels  for  a  long  time.  However,  in  about 
two  years,  an  epidemic  broke  out  among  the  dogs  of 
Worcester.  Bum  arid  Tipsy  were  among  the  first  to 
take  it,  and  both  were  very  ill.  For  weeks  they  would 
eat  almost  nothing,  and  both  were  blind  for  several 
days.  The  alcohol  was  stopped,  but  it  was  only  after 
long  and  careful  nursing  that  they  were  restored  to 
health.  Nig  and  Topsy,  on  the  other  hand,  were 
scarcely  sick  at  all.  They  showed  hardly  any  loss 
of  appetite,  did  not  grow  thin,  and  suffered  very  little 
during  the  time  they  were  affected. 

After  Bum  and  Tipsy  had  regained  health,  the  al- 
cohol diet  was  resumed.  Later  Dr.  Hodge  gave  the 
following  test  to  see  which  pair  of  dogs  was  the  stronger 


78    THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

and  more  active :  each  day  he  took  them  to  a 
gymnasium,  where  he  threw  a  ball  the  entire  length 
of  the  building  to  see  which  dogs  would  bring  it  back 
first.  The  score,  which  was  carefully  kept,  showed 
that  Nig  and  Topsy  brought  the  ball  back  twice  as 
often  as  did  Bum  and  Tipsy.  Now,  you  would  natu- 
rally think  that  the  winners  in  these  games  would  have 
been  more  tired  than  the  losers,  for  they  had  neces- 
sarily worked  faster.  Each  day,  however,  after  the 
test  was  made,  Bum  and  Tipsy  showed  they  were 
far  more  tired  than  were  their  non-alcohol-using  com- 
petitors. 

Other  important  differences  in  these  pairs  of  dogs 
were  observed  by  Dr.  Hodge.  Bum  and  Tipsy  and 
other  dogs  that  were  being  fed  alcohol  showed  little 
curiosity  about  what  happened  near  their  kennels. 
They  also  frequently  exhibited  timidity  and  fear  not 
at  all  natural  in  healthy  dogs.  During  the  years  of 
the  experiment,  Bum  and  Tipsy  had  twenty-three 
puppies,  only  four  of  which  lived  to  be  mature  dogs. 
Of  the  others,  eight  were  born  cripples  and  nine  were 
dead  when  born.  Nig  and  Topsy  had  forty-five  puppies, 
four  of  which  were  not  allowed  to  live  because  they  were 
deformed.  The  others  grew  up  to  be  healthy  dogs. 

Dr.  Hodge  stopped  mixing  alcohol  with  the  food 
given  to  Bum  and  Tipsy  at  the  end  of  three  years. 
He  wanted  to  see  if  they  could,  in  time,  regain  their 
strength  and  become  like  other  dogs.  Tipsy'  died 
soon  afterward,  but  Bum  grew  stronger  every  day. 


BEVERAGES  79 

He  played  as  much  as  Nig  and  could  even  bring  the 
ball  back  nearly  as  often.  Nevertheless,  during  his 
fifth  year,  he  began  to  have  trouble  with  his  eyes  and 
was  soon  entirely  blind.  Later  he  had  a  skin  disease, 
eczema,  which  lasted  a  long  time.  Bum  looked  and 
acted  like  an  old  dog.  His  twin  brother,  Nig,  on  the 
contrary,  was  still  strong  and  frisky.  Indeed,  you 
might  easily  have  taken  him  for  Bum's  grandson,  so 
great  was  the  contrast  between  them. 

But  these  experiments  were  with  dogs.  Surely 
alcohol  has  never  been  shown  to  have  similar  effect 
upon  people.  Unfortunately  there  is  abundant  proof 
of  this  fact.  Time  and  again  physicians  have  found 
that  both  drunkards  and  moderate  drinkers  get  well 
much  less  frequently  from  pneumonia,  typhoid  fever, 
and  other  dangerous  diseases,  because  of  their  pre- 
vious use  of  alcohol.  Neither  are  they  so  likely  as 
total  abstainers  to  recover  from  a  severe  surgical  op- 
eration. Such  investigators  as  Professor  Demme  also 
assert  that  children  of  alcohol-using  parents  are  much 
more  likely  to  be  born  idiots  or  epileptics,  or  other- 
wise ailing  or  deformed  in  mind  or  body,  than  children 
of  parents  who  are  total  abstainers. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  coaches  of  college  crews 
and  baseball  teams  insist  that  those  under  their  charge 
shall  not  use  alcoholic  drinks  during  the  period  of  train- 
ing. This  rule  is  made  because  their  experience  has 
shown  that  boys  can  play  games  with  greater  strength, 
endurance,  and  skill  without  such  drinks.  At  the 


80    THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

international  athletic  contests  held  in  Athens,  Greece, 
in  1906,  the  American  contestants  won  by  far  the  larg- 
est number  of  prizes.  It  is  interesting  testimony  that 
in  Germany,  a  country  where  much  wine  and  beer  are 
drunk,  the  newspapers  attributed  the  success  of  the 
Americans  to  the  fact  that  they  did  not  use  alcoholic 
drinks  during  the  period  of  training.  If  one  is  stronger 
and  more  capable  at  such  a  time  without  alcohol,  it  is 
reasonable  to  conclude  that  he  will  be  healthier  and 
more  capable  at  all  times  without  it. 

For  a  long  time  insurance  companies  have  kept 
account  of  the  ages  of  people  they  insure,  the  diseases 
with  which  they  die,  and  their  age  at  the  time  of  death. 
Some  have  also  recorded  whether  the  persons  insured 
used  liquor  or  were  total  abstainers.  As  such  records 
have  been  kept  strictly  for  business  purposes,  arid  not 
to  prove  or  disprove  anything  in  regard  to  the  use 
of  alcohol,  they  are  entitled  to  considerable  weight. 
These  records  show  that,  other  things  being  equal, 
persons  who  do  not  use  alcohol  live,  on  the  average, 
from  fifteen  to  twenty  years  longer  than  do  moderate 
drinkers.  Very  old  men  who  have  used  liquor  for 
many  years  are  sometimes  seen,  and  people  conclude 
that  alcohol  has  prolonged  the  lives  of  these  persons, 
or  has,  at  least,  not  shortened  them.  That  in  such 
cases  the  length  of  life  has  been  in  spite  of,  not  because 
of,  using  alcoholic  drinks,  these  insurance  records 
unquestionably  indicate.  Few  people  would  willingly 
give  up  fifteen  years  of  life,  and  yet,  by  continu- 


BEVERAGES  81 

ing  the  use  of  liquor,  many  are  thoughtlessly  doing 
this. 

But  eating  too  much  of  desserts,  meats,  and  other 
foods  undoubtedly  causes  some  of  the  same  ailments 
and  results.  Why  should  we  be  more  particular 
about  abstaining  from  liquors  than  from  these?  If 
one  were  absolutely  sure  that  he  could  use  alcoholic 
drinks  without  ever  becoming  a  drunkard,  then  there 
would  be  only  this  difference  between  using  them  and 
too  rich  foods.  The  rich  foods  contain  building  ma- 
terials in  form  unnecessarily  difficult  for  the  diges- 
tive organs.  The  liquors  have  no  building  materials 
and  furnish  an  unnatural  stimulus. 

However,  no  one  is  able  to  tell  for  certain  whether 
he  can  keep  from  forming  the  drink  habit.  Parents 
have  used  alcoholic  drinks  for  years  without  seeming 
to  lose  control  of  their  appetites,  while  their  children 
have  become  drunkards  on  the  very  threshold  of  life. 
Alcohol  has  the  dread  power  of  creating  an  appetite 
for  itself.  A  person  takes  the  first  glass  just  to  be 
social,  or,  perhaps,  because  it  seems  to  be  the  thing 
to  do,  with  no  intention  of  forming  a  dangerous  habit. 
Gradually  and  unthinkingly,  through  the  unfortunate 
treating  custom,  the  amount  is  increased  to  several 
glasses.  The  saloon  ceases  to  be  repulsive.  Slowly 
and  surely  the  appetite  grows  until  the  harmful  habit 
becomes  fixed.  Perhaps  it  may  be  only  daily  to  burden 
the  digestive  organs  with  liquids  that  may  bring  on 
disease  at  the  end  of  a  long  period  of  years.  Perhaps 


82          THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

it  is  destined  to  hasten  its  victim  to  drunkenness  and 
disgrace. 

Beginning  to  drink  alcoholic  liquors  is  like  starting 
to  swim  the  whirlpool  rapids  at  Niagara  Falls.  At 
any  moment  one  may  be  dragged  down  by  the  eddy- 
ing whirlpools  and  undertows.  Possibly,  by  sheer 
luck,  he  may  be  carried  through  on  the  turbulent 
current,  only  to  sink  at  the  end  or  perhaps  to  be  hauled 
out  from  the  ingulfing  torrent  by  helpful  friends. 
The  managers  of  railroads  and  other  large  corpora- 
tions realize  that  the  liquor  habit  is  likely  to  affect 
a  man's  trustworthiness,  and  in  certain  positions  will 
not  employ  men  whom  they  know  have  the  "  strong 
drink " habit,  as  the  following  notice  plainly  indicates: 

"NEW  YORK  CENTRAL  AND  HUDSON    RIVER   RAIL- 
ROAD COMPANY. 

"The  use  of  intoxicating  drinks  on  the  road  or  about 
the  premises  of  the  corporation  is  strictly  forbidden. 
Their  use,  or  the  frequenting  of  places  where  they  are 
sold,  is  sufficient  cause  for  dismissal. 

"C.  F.  SMITH,  General  Superintendent." 

The  Lake  Shore,  the  Pennsylvania,  the  Canadian 
Pacific,  and  many  other  railroads,  have  similar  rules. 
In  fact,  any  employer  must  have  greater  confidence  in 
helpers  who  abstain  from  such  drinks,  for  it  is  well 
known  that  this  habit  is  the  primary  cause  of  most 
of  the  crimes  and  vices. 


BEVERAGES 


83 


There  are  doubtless  many  people  who  take  only 
an  occasional  glass  at  an  after-theater  or  chafing- 
dish  party.  They  have  no  craving,  in  fact,  not  even 
a  liking  for  liquor.  Can  there  be  any  possible  harm 


Many  railway  managers  do  not  allow  a  man  who  drinks  alcoholic  liquors  of 
any  kind  to  run  an  engine.  If  you  were  traveling  on  a  train,  would  you 
prefer  the  engineer  to  be  a  drinking  man  or  one  who  never  drank  ? 

in  this?  They  dislike  to  be  considered  unsocial,  and 
what  is  the  need  when  their  digestive  organs  cannot 
possibly  be  deranged  by  such  infrequent  slight  in- 
dulgences? Besides,  with  little  fondness  for  the 
taste,  there  can  be  no  danger  of  forming  the  habit. 

Many  strong,  noble  men  have  been  confident  of  their 
power  to  resist,  but  when  some  unexpected  fortune 
or  misfortune  came,  have  fallen  victims  to  "John 
Barleycorn,"  chiefly  because  the  way  has  been  paved 
by  previous  occasional  glasses.  But  even  though  a 
person  were  sure  this  could  never  happen,  using 


84          THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

liquors  at  all  is  dangerous  on  account  of  our  influence. 
Persons  who  drink  intoxicating  liquors  only  once  in 
a  while  are  often  of  strong  character  and  good  stand- 
ing in  the  community.  Among  their  friends  are  some 
of  weaker  wills  who  may  be  started  in  forming  the 
habit,  because  their  stronger  willed  acquaintances, 
respected  perhaps  in  church  and  society,  drink  an 
occasional  glass.  On  this  account,  educated  Christian 
people  who  now  and  then  visit  places  where  liquor  is 
sold,  drink  it  at  private  or  public  dinners,  or  allow 
it  to  be  used  on  their  own  tables,  lend  respectability 
to  a  traffic  they  abhor.  By  so  doing  they  often  un- 
thinkingly help  others  to  misfortune  and  disgrace. 

Young  men  and  even  young  ladies  sometimes  par- 
take of  liquor  at  an  entertainment  for  fear  it  might 
seem  puritanical  or  impolite  to  refuse.  But  what  a 
mistaken  idea  this  is  !  No  such  refusal  made  in  a  quiet 
way  but  inspires  the  deepest  respect.  Why  will  not 
all  young  ladies,  with  due  regard  to  their  sex,  make 
this  one  of  their  most  sacred  rules  of  conduct?  It  is 
the  wife  and  the  mother  who  are  the  innocent  but  often 
the  greatest  sufferers  from  the  strong  drink  habit.  If 
young  ladies  would  never  taste  strong  drink  them- 
selves, and  would  exclude  from  their  companionship 
young  men  whom  they  know  are  not  total  abstainers, 
the  influence  of  their  action  would  be  most  salutary. 

The  law,  recognizing  the  dangers  of  alcoholic  drinks, 
makes  it  a  misdemeanor  to  sell  them  to  minors  (persons 
under  twenty-one  years  of  age).  We  do  not  hear 


BEVERAGES  85 

of  laws  prohibiting  the  sale  of  good  bread,  pure  milk, 
or  fresh  meat ;  but  there  are  ordinances  in  almost 
every  city  against  selling  impure  milk  or  bad  meat 
to  any  one.  This  is  because,  like  alcoholic  drinks, 
they  may  do  great  harm.  Young  people  are  also 
usually  protected  from  the  danger  by  the  fact  that 
few  parents  will  allow  their  children  even  to  taste 
liquor.  The  principal  reason  girls  and  boys  should 
learn  about  the  effects  of  alcoholic  drinks  is  not  that 
they  are  likely  to  use  them,  but  that  they  may  form 
the  right  ideas  about  their  use  in  the  future. 

Knowing  these  facts,  we  should  always  regard  alco- 
holic drinks  with  the  same  horror  felt  at  the  first  sight 
of  a  staggering  drunkard,  and  resolve  never  to  use 
them.  May  we  all  grow  up  to  manhood  and  woman- 
hood with  these  ideals  and  purposes  firmly  established : 
To  respect  our  minds  and  bodies  and  want  them  always 
to  be  at  their  best.  To  love  our  companions,  and  let 
no  act  of  ours  lead  them  to  degrade  their  bodies  or 
cripple  their  wills.  To  wish  them  and  ourselves'  to 
be  and  to  do  all  the  good  and  noble  things  that  a  kind 
Creator  has  given  ability  for  being  and  doing.  To 
refrain  always  from  handicapping  our  bodies  by  using 
any  drink  that  may  disease  or  degrade  them. 


CHAPTER  XII 

FOOD   HABITS  —  WISE   AND   OTHERWISE 

SMALL  boys  and  girls  sometimes  have  much  dread 
of  terrible  monsters  which  they  hear  and  read  about, 
but  which  never  do  them  harm  because  they  do  not 
exist.  A  dragon  which  they  have  real  cause  to  fear 
is  sugar,  and  the  dainties  made  from  it.  The  very 
idea  of  anything  so  sweet  as  sugar  being  a  dragon ! 
How  can  such  a  delicious  substance  be  harmful  when 
we  seem  to  crave  it  so  ? 

Horses  crave  sugar  just  as  much  as  human  beings  do. 
Let  one  taste  a  lump  and  he  will  follow  you  about 
eagerly  for  more.  Why  do  owners  not  allow  their 
horses  to  have  all  the  sugar  they  want?  Because 
they  know  that  more  than  a  little  will  lessen  their 
appetite  for  the  oats  and  hay  that  make  them  strong. 
Besides,  they  are  aware  that  sugar  will  also  get  the 
digestive  organs  of  these  useful  animals  out  of  order. 
Its  effect  on  people  is  similar.  When  eaten  in  small 
quantities,  sugar  is  a  good  food,  because  it  supplies 
heat  and  energy  and  digests  easily.  When  too  much 
is  eaten,  the  digestive  organs  become  clogged,  and  loss 
of  appetite,  headache,  and  other  ailments  result. 

Is  it  not  strange  that  so  many  parents  seem  to  use 

86 


FOOD  HABITS—  WISE  AND   OTHERWISE  87 

better  judgment  in  regulating  the  food  of  their  horses 
than  that  of  their  children?  Of  course,  this  is  not 
on  account  of  any  lack  of  love  or  interest,  but  because 
the  harm  done  is  not  realized.  In  their  desire  to  please 
and  satisfy,  the  possible  injury  is  overlooked.  Money 
to  spend  is  given,  or  large  supplies  of  candy  are  fur- 
nished, without  thinking  of  the  consequences.  .How 
many  children  spend  almost  every  penny  they  get 
for  candies  and  other  sweets  !  How  many  older  people 
even  will  munch  candy  during  an  entire  evening's 
entertainment ! 

Whether  it  is  the  best  food  or  whether  their  bodies 
need  nourishment  at  all,  is  not  considered.  Nothing 
is  thought  of  but  the  pleasant  taste.  Drugs  or  the 
doctor  are  employed  to  get  rid  of  the  dull  feeling  or 
headache  that  may  follow  the  next  day.  What  caused 
it  is  often  given  little  thought.  We  have  read  enough 
about  body  building  to  know  that  if  the  appetite 
for  plain  food  is  continually  diminished,  enough 
proteid  and  fat  will  not  be  furnished  our  bodies  to 
supply  the  necessary  tissues  and  fuel.  Nor  do  we 
have  to  be  doctors  to  understand  that  we  cannot  have 
our  greatest  possible  health  and  vigor  without  a  liberal 
supply  of  these  materials.  The  very  cheap  candy 
so  largely  sold  to  children  is  especially  bad,  as  harmful 
adulterants  are  often  used  in  its  manufacture. 

Loss  in  health  and  vigor  means  similar  loss  in  zest 
for  school  and  play,  and  greater  tendency  to  pale 
complexion  and  decaying  teeth.  Now  let  us  weigh  this 


88          THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

sugar  habit  in  the  scales  of  common  sense,  and  see 
if  it  really  pays.  On  one  side  we  can  place,  chiefly, 
the  pleasant  taste  during  the  few  moments  it  is  being 
eaten.  On  the  other,  loss  of  interest  in  school,  less 
skill  and  enjoyment  in. play,  and  impairment  of  dis- 
position and  good  looks,  to  say  nothing  of  pennies 
wasted. 

How  foolish  it  is  to  continue  any  habit  at  such  a 
great  sacrifice  !  A  few  pieces  of  candy  as  part  of  the 
dessert  at  meals  may  add  to  the  body's  energy.  A 
little  at  any  entertainment  where  it  is  served  will  do 
no  harm;  but  let  our  motto  be,  Only  a  little.  " Non- 
sense !"  some  children  may  say:  "I  eat  candy  when- 
ever I  can  get  it,  and  who  can  see  that  I  am  any  the 
worse?"  In  the  same  way  the  carpenter  might  insist 
on  using  all  the  papier-mache  he  could  possibly  place 
in  a  house.  It  might  be  easier  and  pleasanter  to  work 
with,  and  perhaps  look  just  as  well  for  a  time.  But 
he  knows  if  the  building  is  to  endure  the  storms  of 
years,  it  must  be  strongly  supported  with  stone  and 
wood.  We  are  building  our  bodies  not  for  a  day  but 
for  a  lifetime.  Food,  water,  air,  exercise,  and  rest  are 
our  materials.  Let  us  daily  use  them  in  the  way  that 
will  make  the  strongest  and  most  enduring  structure. 

The  Bible  tells  of  a  young  man  by  the  name  of 
Esau,  who,  being  the  oldest  son,  was  entitled  to  his 
father's  blessing  and  his  great  estate.  Returning 
one  evening  tired  and  hungry  from  a  day's  hunting, 
he  begged  his  brother  Jacob  to  let  him  have  the  mess 


FOOD  HABITS — WISE  AND  OTHERWISE  89 

of  pottage  Jacob  had  prepared  for  himself.  Jacob, 
greatly  coveting  his  older  brother's  right  to  the  father's 
blessing  and  property,  saw  a  chance  to  drive  a  shrewd 
bargain.  So  he  offered  his  pottage  in  exchange  for  the 
birthright,  and  Esau  quickly  accepted. 

The  birthright  of  almost  every  child  is  a  healthy 
body,  not  for  a  few  years  but  for  a  lifetime.  Who 
has  not  felt  pity  for  Esau  because  he  allowed  his 
greed  for  pottage  to  lose  him  a  commanding  position 
and  valuable  estates?  Are  we  sure  we  are  not  giving 
up  our  birthright  for  a  mess  of  pottage?  A  healthy, 
vigorous  body  is  a  far  more  valuable  possession  than 
the  great  estate  Esau  was  to  receive.  Candy  and 
rich  desserts  are  the  pottage  most  likely  to  lure  away 
our  precious  inheritance.  Let  us  hope  that  no  readers 
of  this  book  will  be  so  unwise  as  Esau. 

Another  harmful  habit  is  eating  between  meals. 
Healthy  digestive  organs  are  ready  to  take  care  of 
a  reasonable  amount  of  building  material  furnished 
them  at  the  three  ordinary  meals.  Like  other  parts 
of  the  body,  they  cannot  work  their  best  all  of  the 
time  without  rest.  If  compelled  to  work  overtime, 
they  naturally  lose  tone  and  vigor.  The  result  is  the 
loss  of  appetite  at  regular  meals,  and  a  general 
derangement  of  health. 

If  the  body  really  needs  nourishment,  bread  and 
milk,  a  sandwich,  or  even  a  glass  of  milk  will  sup- 
ply the  required  strength  in  a  form  easy  to  digest, 
and  will  satisfy  hunger  as  well.  But  we  are  often 


90          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

invited  to  evening  entertainments  where  an  abundance 
of  indigestible  food  is  sure  to  be  served.  How  can 
burdening  the  body  at  such  a  time  be  avoided  ?  Wise 
body  builders  can  be  careful  to  make  the  preceding 
meals  very  light  ones,  or  be  regulated  during  the  even- 
ing by  the  motto,  Only  a  little. 

People  often  make  a  breakfast  of  a  cup  or  two  of 
coffee  and  a  few  pancakes  liberally  covered  with  butter 
and  sirup.  Why  is  this  not  a  good  start  in  the  day's 
body  building?  The  coffee,  as  we  have  learned, 
stimulates,  but  furnishes  no  nutriment.  The  flour 
in  the  cakes  is  in  a  form  difficult  for  digestion,  and 
so  soft  that  it  is  usually  swallowed  without  much 
chewing.  The  sirup  and  butter  are  good  foods,  but 
are  likely  to  form  altogether  too  large  a  proportion  of 
the  meal. 

Remembering  that  the  aim  of  wise  body  builders  is 
to  furnish  the  important  materials,  proteid,  fat,  starch, 
and  sugar,  at  each  meal  in  a  form  that  may  be  easily 
digested,  why  is  a  lunch  of  egg  or  meat  sandwiches, 
a  glass  of  milk  and  some  fruit,  far  better  than  one  of 
bread  and  jam,  pickles,  pie,  and  cake?  Because  the 
former  has  a  liberal  supply  of  proteid  in  a  form  easy 
to  digest.  It  also  contains  plenty  of  starch,  and,  in 
addition,  some  fruit  to  serve  as  a  healthful  stimulus. 
In  the  latter,  the  food  is  too  largely  starch,  much 
of  it  in  a  form  difficult  to  digest,  while  neither  the 
jam  nor  the  pickle  helps  the  burden. 

Why  are  broth,  baked  potatoes,  broiled  beef,  toast, 


FOOD  HABITS — WISE  AND   OTHERWISE  91 

and  custard  better  for  a  person  who  is  not  feeling  well 
than  coffee,  boiled  potatoes,  fried  meat,  new  bread, 
and  cake  ?  Because  broth  furnishes  both  stimulant 
and  nourishment,  while  coffee  only  stimulates.  Baked 
potatoes  are  more  easily  digested  than  boiled,  and 
broiled  meat  than  fried  meat.  Toast  is  the  form  of 
bread  that  is  the  easiest  to  digest,  while  new  bread  is 
the  most  difficult.  Custard,  being  composed  largely 
of  eggs  and  milk,  is  both  nutritious  and  easy  to  digest, 
while  pie  and  cakes  are  bulky  and  more  difficult. 

In  leaving  the  question  of  food  as  building  material, 
we  must  remember  that  the  kind  and  quantity  best  for 
our  bodies  depend  upon  both  our  state  of  health  and 
our  occupation.  One  who  is  strong  and  vigorous  will 
properly  digest  more  food  than  one  who  is  delicate. 
Neither  is  it  necessary  for  a  vigorous  person  to  be  as 
particular  about  what  and  how  he  eats,  though  the 
simpler  his  food  and  the  better  his  mastication,  the 
longer  will  his  fullest  strength  be  retained.  A  person 
leading  an  active  out-of-door  life  requires  more  food 
and  digests  food  more  readily  than  one  whose  work 
is  indoors.  A  person  doing  mental  work  indoors 
naturally  requires  less  food,  and  especially  less  hearty 
food,  than  one  doing  physical  work. 

The  reason  why  so  many  brain  workers  suffer  from 
indigestion  is  because  they  eat  sausage,  fried  meats, 
pancakes,  doughnuts,  pie,  and  cakes,  just  as  if  they 
were  living  an  active,  out-of-door  life,  in  which  their 
bodies  would  need  abundant  heat  and  energy.  If, 


92  THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

instead,  they  aim  to  furnish  only  the  smaller  amount 
of  energy  and  building  material  their  bodies  require 
in  a  form  that  is  easily  digested,  the  difficulty  soon 
disappears. 

All  persons  need  more  food  when  they  are  getting 
abundant  fresh  air  and  exercise,  because  more  tissues 
and  fuel  are  required  for  building  and  energy.  How- 
ever, this  should  not  lead  us  to  burden  our  stomachs 
with  too  much  food,  or  with  that  which  is  indigestible. 
Such  a  practice  is  just  as  foolish  as  it  would  be  to 
keep  overloading  a  horse  because  of  his  apparent 
strength  and  willingness.  Like  the  horse,  our  digestive 
organs  will  sooner  or  later  become  weakened  because  of 
the  unnecessary  strain. 

Whether  we  are  delicate  or  vigorous,  whether  our 
work  is  outdoors  or  indoors,  we  should  keep  these  pre- 
cepts ever  in  mind:  "Enough  is  as  good  as  a  feast.'7 
The  simpler  our  food,  the  better  body-building  material 
it  affords.  A  little  seasoning  is  golden ;  much  season- 
ing is  leaden.  Fried  foods  of  all  kinds  are  usually  dif- 
ficult to  digest,  and  should  be  avoided  when  possible. 
Additional  minutes  of  mastication  bring  additional 
years  of  perfect  health.  An  ounce  of  rest  for  the  di- 
gestive organs  is  worth  pounds  of  drugs  and  patent 
medicines. 

But  must  we  give  up  all  the  good  things  of  life? 
some  may  ask,  and  by  "good  things"  they  mean  rich 
foods  and  stimulating  drinks.  Suppose  we  consider 
what  the  good  things  of  life  really  are.  When  we  think 


FOOD  HABITS — WISE  AND   OTHERWISE  93 

of  it  carefully,  how  does  pleasing  the  taste  for  a  few 
moments,  three  or  four  times  a  day,  really  compare 
with  looking  our  best,  doing  our  best,  and  being  our 
best  all  of  the  time  ?  To  look  as  wholesome  and  beau- 
tiful as  is  naturally  possible  ;  to  play  or  work  with 
our  greatest  skill  and  vim ;  to  be  in  the  condition 
of  mind  and  body  that  will  make  us  the  most  thought- 
ful and  kind  in  our  relations  with  others,  and  help 
us  to  get  the  fullest  enjoyment  out  of  all  the  good 
and  beautiful  things  in  the  world  about  us;  these, 
certainly,  are  the  good  things  of  life  that  are  best 
worth  having. 

That  carelessness  in  eating  and  drinking  greatly 
lessens  the  possibilities  for  enjoyment  of  all  these 
priceless  good  things  for  thousands  of  people,  is  a  well- 
known  fact.  Many  physicians  can  testify  that  their 
busiest  time  usually  follows  Sundays  and  holidays, 
when  many  people  indulge  in  the  greatest  excesses 
of  eating  with  the  least  exercise  and  fresh  air.  What 
candid  doctor  will  not  say  tnat  too  much  food  and  drink 
are  the  primary  causes  of  much  illness  and  disease? 
Other  things  being  equal,  the  health  of  a  family  in 
which  the  food  is  plain  and  not  unlimited  in  quantity, 
is  usually  much  better  than  it  is  in  homes  where  the 
opposite  conditions  prevail. 

In  such  families  the  children  are  not  so  likely  to  be 
cross  and  irritable.  They  study  better,  eat  better, 
sleep  better,  and  are  even  better  looking,  because  of 
the  simple  living.  Such  fortunate  children  are  not 


94          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

only  enjoying  the  best  of  good  things  in  childhood, 
but  are  also  storing  up  the  most  valuable  bank  account 
for  the  future,  —  a  sound,  healthy,  body.  Without 
such  capital,  all  the  knowledge  gained  in  school  and 
college  may  add  little  to  our  usefulness  or  enjoyment. 
With  it  we  can,  all  of  the  time,  make  the  most  of  our 
ability  to  do  and  to  enjoy. 

History,  as  well  as  our  own  observation,  proves  the 
wholesome  effect  of  simple  living.  Perhaps  one  of 
the  most  interesting  examples  is  that  of  the  Spartans 
of  ancient  Greece.  These  people  settled  in  a  part 
of  Greece  where  they  were  largely  outnumbered  by 
the  native  population,  and,  on  this  account,  were 
obliged  to  hold  their  position  by  superior  strength  and 
skill  in  arms.  Nevertheless,  they  were  supreme  in 
that  region  for  years,  and  even  became  the  most 
famous  warriors  among  all  the  Greeks.  This,  his- 
torians say,  was  largely  because  of  their  simple  living, 
which  was  compelled  by  law.  " Black  broth/'  made 
from  vegetables  similar  to  peas  and  beans,  bread,  and 
fruit  were  among  the  principal  articles  of  food  which 
their  laws  required  all  to  eat. 

Another  interesting  example  of  the  good  effect  of 
simple  living  is  related  in  the  first  chapter  of  the  Book 
of  Daniel  in  the  Bible.  The  famous  king,  Nebuchad- 
nezzar, wished  to  train  some  young  men  to  become 
wise  counsellors.  So  he  directed  one  of  his  chief 
officers  to  select  several  "in  whom  was  no  blemish, 
but  well-favored  and  skilful  in  all  wisdom,  and  cunning 


FOOD  HABITS — WISE  AND   OTHERWISE  95 

in  knowledge,  and  understanding  science,  and  such 
as  had  ability  in  them  to  stand  in  the  king's  palace, 
and  whom  they  might  teach  the  learning  and  the 
tongue  of  the  Chaldeans.7' 

It  was  also  directed  that  these  young  men  were 
to  be  provided  for  three  years  with  a  daily  supply  of 
the  king's  meat  and  the  wine  which  was  used  at  the 
king's  table.  At  the  end  of  that  period,  all  were  to 
be  brought  before  Nebuchadnezzar.  Among  the  young 
men  selected  were  four  Hebrews,  the  chief  of  whom, 
Daniel,  did  not  wish  to  partake  of  the  rich  food  and 
drink  which  the  king  provided.  So  he  requested  that 
he  and  his  friends  might  be  given  pulse  (similar  to 
peas  and  beans)  and  water  instead.  But  the  officer 
in  charge  replied:  "I  fear  my  lord  the  king,  who 
hath  appointed  your  meat  and  drink ;  for  why  should 
he  see  your  faces  worse  liking  than  the  children  which 
are  of  your  sort?  Then  shall  ye  make  me  endanger 
my  head  to  the  king." 

Daniel  replied :  "  i Prove  thy  servants,  I  beseech  thee, 
ten  days.  Let  them  give  us  pulse  to  eat  and  water 
to  drink.  Then  let  our  countenances  be  looked  upon 
before  thee,  and  the  countenance  of  the  children 
that  eat  of  the  king's  meat;  and  as  thou  seest,  deal 
with  thy  servants.'  So  he  consented  to  them  in  this 
matter,  and  proved  them  ten  days;  and  at  the  end 
of  ten  days  their  countenances  appeared  fairer  and 
fatter  in  flesh  than  all  that  did  eat  the  portion  of 
the  king's  meat."  When  the  period  of  three  years 


96          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

expired,  all  were  brought  before  Nebuchadnezzar, 
as  had  been  commanded.  It  is  related  that  among 
the  entire  number  were  none  like  Daniel  and  his  three 
companions;  and  also  that  in  matters  of  wisdom  and 
understanding  the  king  found  them  ten  times  better 
than  all  others. 

It  is  for  boys  and  girls  to  see  to  it  that  the  early 
formation  of  habits  of  simple  living  helps  them  to 
become  as  handsome,  able,  and  happy  as  possible. 
We  should  remember  that  possessing  the  truly  good 
things  of  life  to  their  fullest  extent  the  longest  possi- 
ble time  depends  largely  on  keeping  a  healthy  body ; 
and  that,  odd  as  it  may  seem,  the  continued  health 
of  the  body  is  dependent  to  a  large  degree  on  what 
and  how  we  eat.  Hurrying  through  our  meals 
to  get  out  to  play,  hastens  the  time  when  we  won't 
care  to  play.  Eating  much  food  just  because  it 
pleases  the  taste,  hurries  on  the  years  when  little  or 
nothing  will  taste  good. 

It  is  riot  necessary  to  be  as  abstemious  as  were 
Daniel  and  his  three  companions,  for  fortunately  there 
are  now  many  good  foods  that  can  be  both  simply  and 
appetizingly  prepared.  Being  wise  builders,  shall  we 
not  understand  the  food  we  eat,  and  know  that  it  is 
going  to  assist,  not  hinder,  our  body's  healthful  de- 
velopment ?  If  we  have  not  already  done  so,  shall  we 
not  start  to-day  to  form  food  habits  that  will  store 
up  the  right  health  capital  for  the  future  ? 


CHAPTER  XIII 

THE    MOST    NECESSARY    BUT    LEAST    APPRECIATED    MA- 
TERIAL USED  IN  JACK'S  HOUSE  —  PURE  AIR 

IN  a  previous  chapter  we  read  that  food,  air,  and 
water  are  the  materials  with  which  Jack's  Wonderful 
House  builds  itself.  Of  these  air  is  no  doubt  by  far 
the  least  appreciated.  For  instance,  when  a  picnic 
is  planned,  how  carefully  every  part  of  the  lunch  is 
looked  after,  but  how  rarely  the  air  of  the  crowded 
cars  or  of  the  place  to  be  visited  is  even  considered. 
If  an  evening  party  or  banquet  is  being  arranged, 
much  thought  is  given  to  the  menu,  but  provision  for 
an  abundance  of  pure  air  for  each  guest  is  often  entirely 
forgotten. 

It  is  certainly  correct  to  estimate  our  need  of  a  sub- 
stance by  our  dependence  on  it.  Let  us  compare 
air  and  food  from  this  standpoint.  Of  which  do  we 
use  the  more?  The  air  we  breathe  weighs  many  times 
as  much  as  the  food  we  eat.  Which  can  we  do  without 
the  longer?  Any  one  can  go  without  food  a  day  or 
more  and  not  feel  any  great  discomfort,  and  persons 
have  been  known  to  fast  for  even  thirty  or  forty  days. 
At  the  most,  one  could  exist  only  a  few  moments 
H  97 


98          THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

without  air.  Which  must  we  have  the  oftener  ?  Most 
people  eat  three  times  a  day.  While  the  number 
of  breaths  taken  depends  largely  on  how  old  a  person  is 
and  whether  the  body  is  active  or  at  rest,  the  average 
has  been  estimated  at  about  eighteen  a  minute,  one 
thousand  eighty  an  hour,  or  twenty-five  thousand 
nine  hundred  twenty  a  day !  Resting  or  working, 
asleep  or  awake,  a  ceaseless  tide  of  this  wonderful 
air  is  continually  pouring  in  and  out  of  our  lungs. 
As  it  is  the  material  most  needed  by  our  bodies,  we 
should  always  have  an  abundance  at  hand  and  be 
sure  it  is  of  the  very  best  quality. 

But  as  air  is  so  entirely  different  from  other  sub- 
stances with  which  we  have  to  deal,  how  can  we  in  any 
way  regulate  it  ?  Is  it  not  an  invisible,  magical  some- 
thing that  performs  its  work  in  a  good-fairy-like 
manner,  whether  we  will  or  not  ?  If  we  lived  out-of- 
doors,  like  Arabs  or  Gypsies,  the  air  would  certainly 
do  its  part  in  building  our  bodies  as  well  as  the  very 
best  of  good  fairies.  Many  of  our  hours  are  spent 
indoors,  however,  and  so  we  should  learn  to  keep  the 
indoor  air  in  condition  to  do  its  best  work  for  us. 

We  have  found  that  the  building  value  of  foods 
depends  upon  the  proportion  of  certain  useful  com- 
ponents they  contain.  Strange  as  it  may  seem, 
chemists  have  discovered  that  air,  too,  is  made  up  of 
several  different  components.  They  are  agreed  that 
about  four-fifths  of  air  is  a  gas  called  nitrogen,  a 
little  more  than  one-fifth  is  another  gas  called  oxygen, 


PURE    AIR  99 

and  less  than  one-hundredth  is  watery  vapor  and  car- 
bonic acid  gas.  Any  one  who  has  studied  chemistry 
will  remember  that  water  is  formed  of  one  part 
oxygen  and  two  parts  of  another  gas  called  hydro- 
gen. Nitrogen,  oxygen,  and  carbonic  acid  gas  do  not 
unite  to  form  air,  as  do  hydrogen  and  oxygen  to  form 
water.  They  simply  mix  or  diffuse,  each  keeping  its 
own  characteristics.  As  a  rule,  in  the  free  air  out-of- 
doors  these  components  will  be  found  mixed  in  the 
proportion  given  above,  about  four-fifths  nitrogen, 
about  one-fifth  oxygen,  and  less  than  one-hundredth 
vapor  and  carbonic  acid  gas. 

We  found  it  useful  to  learn  about  the  components 
of  food.  Let  us  see  whether  a  knowledge  of  these 
mysterious  air  components  is  not  equally  valuable. 
As  oxygen  is  the  most  useful  of  all,  we  shall  get  ac- 
quainted with  it  first.  Some  boys  and  girls  may 
think  oxygen  a  very  difficult  acquaintance  to  make, 
and  may  imagine  a  trip  in  a  balloon  or  a  long  journey 
in  a  flying  machine  really  necessary  to  know  it.  But 
what  a  mistaken  idea !  This  remarkable  friend  is  not 
distant  or  hard  to  reach.  On  the  contrary,  it  is  in, 
about,  and  all  around  us.  About  five-sevenths  of 
our  bodies,  a  little  less  than  one-half  of  the  earth's 
crust,  eight-ninths  of  the  weight  of  the  earth's  water, 
and,  as  we  have  already  learned,  nearly  one-fifth  of 
its  air  are  made  up  of  oxygen.  While  there  are  many 
interesting  things  about  this  useful  element  in  the  air, 
the  most  important  to  know,  at  present,  is  that  it 


100        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

unites  with  the  carbon  of  various  substances  to 
cause  the  burning  or  combustion  with  which  all  are 
familiar. 

Of  course,  we  know  that  this  burning  or  combustion 
is  necessary  to  produce  the  heat  that  warms  our  houses 
and  the  steam  and  energy  that  run  engines  and  ma- 
chinery. No  boy  or  girl  needs  to  be  told  that  if  the 
draughts  of  a  stove  or  furnace  are  all  closed,  the  fire  will 
in  time  stop  burning.  Few  are  unfamiliar  with  the 
fact  that  if  the  small  holes  below  the  chimney  in  a 
lamp  burner  are  covered,  the  light  will  go  out.  That 
both  of  these  things  happen  because  the  air  is  shut 
off,  is  also  well  known.  But  that  the  freedom  with 
which  fire  burns  depends  upon  the  amount  of  oxygeji 
contained  by  the  air  that  passes  into  it,  may  not  be 
as  generally  understood.  Oxygen  in  the  air  is  also 
continually  uniting  with  wood,  iron,  and  other  ex- 
posed substances,  and,  though  heat  is  generated,  it 
is  riot  sufficient  to  produce  flame.  The  rust  of  the 
iron  and  the  decay  of  the  wood  are  the  results  of  the 
combustion  that  we  see. 

Why  should  we  speak  of  these  common,  everyday 
things?  Is  it  possible  that  our  bodies  are  anything 
like  furnaces  6r  engines?  Oddly  enough  they  are 
very  similar ;  and  the  tissues  of  our  bodies  are  the  coal 
and  wood  with  which  the  oxygen,  taken  in  through 
the  lungs  and  skin,  unites  to  produce  the  heat  that 
keeps  you  and  me  warm,  and  the  energy  that  gives  us 
the  power  of  motion.  But  the  union  of  oxygen  with 


PURE    AIR  101 

the  tissues  of  our  bodies  does  not  produce  flame  as 
in  the  stove  or  furnace,  for  the  combustion  is  slow 
and  more  like  that  which  causes  rusting  of  iron  and 
decay  of  wood.  Without  this  useful  oxygen  the  Won- 
derful House  that  Jack  Has  would  be  supplied  with 
neither  heat  nor  energy,  and,  as  a  consequence,  its 
destruction  would  soon  follow. 

As  far  as  is  known,  nitrogen  passes  out  of  the  body 
without  any  change,  its  only  apparent  use  being  to 
dilute  the  oxygen.  This,  however,  is  a  very  important 
service.  As  we  shall  see  later,  if  oxygen  were  much 
stronger  than  it  is  in  normal  air,  its  union  with  carbon 
would  take  place  too  fast. 

But  what  about  the  carbonic  acid  gas,  or  carbon 
dioxid  as  it  is  often  called?  We  have  found  out  that 
less  than  one-hundredth  of  the  air  is  watery  vapor  and 
this  last  named  gas.  Have  chemists  really  discovered 
how  much  of  the  latter  there  is  in  pure  air  ?  There  is 
such  a  small  amount  of  it,  compared  with  the  whole 
body  of  atmosphere,  that  it  does  seem  almost  magical 
that  an  accurate  estimate  could  be  made.  Never- 
theless, chemists  in  various  parts  of  the  world  agree 
in  the  opinion  that  there  is  only  about  one  part  of 
carbonic  acid  gas  to  every  twenty-five  hundred  parts  of 
air.  While  this  gas  is  a  deadly  poison,  the  very  small 
proportion  in  pure  air  has  no  ill  effect  when  taken  into 
the  lungs.  The  best  authorities,  however,  are  agreed 
that  twelve  parts  of  carbonic  acid  gas  to  ten  thousand 
of  air  is  the  upper  limit  of  safety,  and  that  twenty-two 


102        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

parts  in  ten  thousand  or  about  one  five-hundredth  is 
dangerous  to  breathe.  Fractions  with  such  large 
denominators  are  so  difficult  to  picture  mentally  that 
we  can  scarcely  realize  how  small  an  amount  of  car- 
bonic acid  gas  in  our  living  rooms  is  dangerous  to 
health.  But  if  we  could  imagine  a  room  divided  into 
one  thousand  equal  parts,  and  one  of  these  parts 
representing  that  amount,  we  should  see  that  it  is 
indeed  very  small. 

Carbonic  acid  gas  is  so  dense  that  it  can  be  poured 
from  one  bottle  to  another.  It  is  also  much  heavier 
than  air.  This  accounts  for  the  fact  that  in  vats, 
cellars,  wells,  and  mines  where  large  amounts  of  this 
gas  are  generated,  it  often  settles  in  the  bottom, 
fatally  injuring  people  who  accidentally  come  in  con- 
tact with  it.  If  a  lighted  lamp  or  candle  goes  out 
when  lowered  into  such  a  place,  it  is  a  sign  that  it 
would  be  dangerous  for  human  beings.  However, 
under  ordinary  conditions  in  out-of-door  air,  such  a 
thing  does  not  take  place,  for  it  is  a  fixed  law  of  nature 
that  in  free  air  these  three  gases  mix  and  keep  in  the 
proportion,  four-fifths  nitrogen,  about  one-fifth  oxygen, 
and  one  twenty-five-hundredth  carbonic  acid  gas. 

In  previous  chapters  we  read  that  carbonic  acid  gas 
is  produced  by  fermentation  both  in  bread  making 
and  in  the  manufacture  of  alcoholic  drinks.  It  is 
also  one  of  the  products  of  combustion  or  burning, 
for  when  oxygen  unites  with  the  carbon  of  wood  or 
coal,  the  tissues  of  our  body,  or  any  other  fuel,  car- 


PURE    AIR  103 

bonic  acid  gas  is  produced  as  well  as  heat  and  energy. 
Now,  as  this  gas  is  poisonous,  it  is  just  as  necessary 
that  the  body  should  get  rid  of  what  is  produced  by 
the  combustion  of  its  tissues  as  it  is  that  the  air 
breathed  should  contain  no  more  than  its  normal 
amount.  How  the  body  supplies  every  part  of  its 
tissues  with  the  life-giving  oxygen  and  at  the  same 
time  rids  itself  of  the  poisonous  carbonic  acid  gas,  is 
a  wonderfully  interesting  story. 

But  before  we  begin  this  story,  let  us  devote  a  mo- 
ment to  the  remaining  component  of  the  air,  the  watery 
vapor.  Although  some  is  always  present  in  normal 
air,  the  amount  varies  with  the  locality  and  depends 
considerably  upon  temperature,  warm  air  holding  a 
much  greater  amount  than  cold  air.  Any  observing 
boy  or  girl  knows  how  quickly  the  air  takes  up,  or 
evaporates,  water.  Who  has  not  seen  the  damp  tennis- 
court  or  ball  ground  soon  get  into  fine  condition  for 
play,  when  the  wind  was  blowing  plenty  of  air  over  it, 
even  if  there  was  not  a  single  ray  of  sunshine  ?  This 
is  because  the  air  is  like  an  exceedingly  large  sponge. 
Heat  expands  it  and  makes  it  able  to  hold  more 
water,  while  cold  contracts  it,  squeezing  the  water  out 
in  the  form  of  rain,  dew,  frost,  or  snow. 

Let  us  see  how  this  thirsty  habit  of  air  is  of  wonder- 
ful service  to  our  bodies.  That  our  skin  contains 
millions  of  tiny  pores  is  a  well  known  fact.  When 
we  exercise,  sweat,  or  perspiration,  comes  out  of 
these  pores.  Now  all  the  time  these  tiny  tubes 


104       THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

are  giving  off  moisture  called  insensible  perspiration, 
because  it  is  so  small  in  amount  we  do  not  realize 
that  it  is  passing  out,  and  the  air  usually  takes  it  up 
before  enough  collects  to  dampen  the  underclothing. 
As  perspiration  contains  poisonous  substances  that  the 
body  needs  to  get  rid  of,  it  is  important  that  the  air 
should  not  be  too  moist  to  absorb  perspiration  readily 
from  the  body.  One  of  the  reasons  we  often  feel  un- 
comfortable on  hot  summer  days  when  the  air  is  full 
of  moisture,  or  humidity,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  is 
because  the  perspiration  is  not  readily  taken  up  by 
the  air.  On  this  account,  the  body  is  disturbed,  for 
it  is  not  being  relieved  of  all  its  poisons  in  the  usual 
way.  It  is  also  very  important  that  the  air  we  breathe 
should  not  be  too  dry,  for  in  that  condition  it  takes 
up  moisture  that  the  tissues  really  need.  This  can  be 
easily  told  from  the  parched  condition  of  our  throats 
when  we  have  been  long  in  a  room  that  is  heated  by 
furnace  air  not  containing  enough  moisture. 

We  are  now  ready  to  begin  the  interesting  story  of 
how  air  aids  our  body  building  by  bringing  in  the 
necessary  oxygen  and  carrying  out  the  poisonous 
carbonic  acid  gas.  The  first  part  of  this  story,  the 
passing  of  air  through  the  nose  and  trachea,  branching 
off  by  way  of  the  bronchial  tubes  and  penetrating 
into  the  very  remotest  air-cells  of  the  lungs,  can  be 
noticed  at  almost  every  breath.  In  the  illustrations 
the  relative  position  of  the  trachea  and  lungs  can 
be  seen.  The  appearance  of  the  treelike  bronchial 


PURE    AIR  105 

tubes  is  also  nicely  shown  in  the  left  lung  in  the  figure. 
From  books  we  can  learn  that  the  lungs  are  pink  in 
color,  have  thousands  of  air-cells;  and  are  extremely 
elastic. 

The  vital  organs  of  many  common  animals  are  very 
similar  to  our  own.      On  this  account,  the  best  way 


Trachea 


Showing  trachea,  right  lung,  and  bronchial  tubes  of  left  lung. 

fully  to  realize  the  vast  number  of  air-cells  and  blood- 
vessels in  our  lungs  and  the  remarkable  power  of 
expansion  these  two  most  useful  organs  have,  is  to  see 
the  lungs  of  some  animal  inflated.  Children  pay  to 
see  many  things  in  museums  and  other  places,  but  few 
of  these  are  so  curious  and  interesting  as  such  an  ex- 
periment. The  lightness  and  elasticity  of  the  lungs  are 


106   THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

truly  remarkable.  Nor  can  the  arrangement  of  the 
cells  and  the  wonderful  network  of  blood-vessels  be 
easily  imagined  until  experiments  have  been  made 
with  a  pair  of  lungs. 

The  story  thus  far  is  not  hard  to  understand,  for  it 
is  as  easy  to  comprehend  how  oxygen  gets  into  the 
lungs  as  it  is  to  see  how  air  goes  through  the  draughts 
into  a  furnace.  But  how  does  this  useful  gas  get  to 
the  tissues  in  other  parts  of  our  bodies?  The  answer 
to  this  question  is  so  curious  that  it  almost  seems  to 
take  us  into  Fairyland.  We  remember  how  the  villi 
in  the  intestines  take  up  the  digested  food  and  pass 
it  on  to  the  tiny  blood-vessels.  In  tracing  these 
blood-vessels,  we  find  that  they  gradually  lead  into 
larger  and  larger  tubes  which  finally  join  cordlike 
canals. 

By  examining  further,  we  discover  that  these  canals, 
or  tiny  pipes,  extend  into  every  part  of  the  body, 
but  grow  larger  as  they  approach  and  join  the  heart. 
Opening  some  of  these  pipes,  we  find  they  contain  bright 
red  blood.  Others  appear  to  be  of  a  bluish  color  and 
carry  darker  blood.  The  former  are  called  arteries, 
the  latter  veins.  The  minute  blood-vessels  that  con- 
nect the  arteries  and  veins  are  called  the  capillaries. 

But  what  makes  the  blood  run  through  these  tube- 
like  canals?  Some  of  them  seem  to  go  straight  up- 
hill. We  know  that  when  city  water  runs  up  a  hill 
higher  than  its  source,  there  are  great  pumps  that  force 
it  to  make  the  ascent.  Can  it  be  possible  that  our 


PURE    AIR 


107 


bodies  are  equipped  in  a  similar  way?  This  is  exactly 
the  case.  Situated  in  the  chest  between  the  lungs, 
and  a  little  below  the  neck,  is  a  thick  muscular  organ 
called  the  heart.  We  can  tell  by  the  illustration  that 
it  is  shaped  like  a  pear,  and  has  its  small  end  turned 
downward  and  a  little  to  the  left.  If  we  were  to 
dissect  a  sheep's  heart,  which 
is  formed  like  our  own,  we 
should  find  that  it  has  two 
distinct  sides,  and  that  each 
side  has  two  separate 
chambers.  The  chambers  on 
the  right  side  are  named 
right  auricle  and  right  ventri- 
cle, while  those  on  the  left 
side  are  the  left  auricle  and 
left  ventricle. 

If  we  could  see  the  workings 
of  the  heart,  we  should  observe 
that  dark,  impure  blood 

pours  through  two  large  veins,  which  come  one  from 
above  and  one  from  below  and  lead  into  the  right  auri- 
cle. As  soon  as  this  chamber  is  full,  the  contraction 
of  the  muscles  forces  the  blood  it  contains  into  the 
right  ventricle.  This,  contracting  in  turn,  drives  it 
through  the  pulmonary  artery  and  its  many  branches 
into  the  countless  blood-vessels  that  spread  all  through 
the  membrane  of  the  five  or  six  million  air-cells  of  the 
lungs.  On  its  journey  through  these  capillaries  the 


The  Heart. 


108        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

blood  changes  from  a  dark  red  to  a  bright  red  color, 
finally  passing  through  the  large  pulmonary  veins  into 
the  left  auricle  of  the  heart.  Thence  it  is  forced  by 
contraction  into  the  left  ventricle.  This  chamber 
then  contracts,  forcing  the  blood  into  a  large  artery 
called  the  aorta,  through  its  numerous  branches,  to 

the  capillaries  in  the  re- 
motest part  of  the  body, 
and  then  back  through 
the  veins  into  the  right 
auricle  of  the  heart. 

How  remarkable  all 
this  is  !  A  network  of 
tubes  of  many  sizes  car- 
rying blood  to  every 
part  of  our  bodies  !  The 
water  system  of  a  great 
city  with  its  numerous 
pipes  running  in  and  out 
of  the  various  houses 
may  be  compared  to  it. 

Diagram  showing  the  course  of  the  blood  ^         .  . 

through  the  heart.  "«   large    mam    pipes 


The   vessels  containing  impure  blood  are  drawn  running  f  rom  the 
darker  than  the  others. 

ing  stations  and  along 

the  principal  streets  correspond  to  the  great  arteries  that 
run  from  the  heart.  The  pipes  leading  from  the  streets 
to  the  houses  suggest  the  branching  arteries,  while  those 
which  carry  the  waste  water  to  the  sewer  and  the 
sewer  pipes  themselves  serve  a  purpose  similar  to  that 


PURE    AIR  109 

of  the  veins,  with  this  difference :  the  sewer  pipes 
carry  the  waste  and  unclean  water  away,  but  the 
veins  conduct  the  impure  blood  back  to  our  pumping 
station,  the  heart,  which  sends  it  to  the  lungs  to  be 
purified.  The  network  of  pipes  that  conduct  a  city's 
water  supply  is,  indeed,  a  remarkable  contrivance. 
Nevertheless,  it  does  not  begin  to  compare  in  work- 
manship with  the  wonderful  blood-conducting  system 
of  our  bodies;  for  in  the  latter  are  many  more  tubes 
of  different  sizes,  much  more  delicately  constructed 
and  skillfully  put  together. 

In  pumping  or  forcing  the  blood,  the  two  auricles 
contract  at  the  same  time,  both  ventricles  contracting 
together  immediately  after  the  auricles.  Skillfully 
constructed  valves  between  the  auricles  and  ventricles 
and  between  the  ventricles  and  the  tubes  leading  from 
them  keep  the  blood  from  going  backward.  The 
passing  of  the  blood  through  the  arteries,  capillaries, 
and  veins  back  to  the  heart  again  is  called  the  circu- 
lation (the  act  of  traveling  around).  It. is  interesting 
to  know  that  before  the  fact  of  the  circulation  of  the 
blood  was  made  well  known  to  the  medical  world  by 
Dr.  William  Harvey  of  England,  in  1618,  it  was  quite 
generally  thought  that  the  arteries  carried  air.  This 
error  arose  because  they  were  always  found  empty 
immediately  after  a  person's  death. 

The  amount  of  blood  a  healthy  person  has  is  esti- 
mated at  about  one-thirteenth  of  his  body's  weight. 
The  heart  of  males  usually  beats  about  seventy  times, 


110        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

and  that  of  females  eighty  times,  a  minute.  The 
number  may  be  greatly  increased  by  either  mental  or 
physical  exercise,  and  is  greater  in  youth  and  less  in 
old  age.  The  beating  of  the  heart  is  often  spoken  of 
as  a  pulsation,  and  the  arteries  are  so  elastic  that  they 
contract  and  relax  as  the  blood  flows  through  them. 
This  movement  of  the  walls  of  the  arteries  helps  to 
hasten  the  flow  of  blood  through  them.  By  putting  a 
finger  on  an  artery  the  heart  pulsation,  or  pulse,  as  it  is 
usually  called,  can  be  felt  and  counted.  The  inside  of 
the  wrist  below  the  base  of  the  thumb  is  the  place  where 
the  pulse  is  most  readily  felt.  As  the  muscles  are 
involuntary  (that  is,  work  day  and  night  without  our 
willing  it),  we  can  see  that  this  wonderful  little  pump 
of  ours  makes  about  four  thousand  five  hundred  con- 
tractions an  hour  and  over  one  hundred  thousand  a 
day,  to  keep  the  blood  traveling  on  its  ceaseless  round 
through  the  body.  The  statement  that  the  heart  never 
rests  is  sometimes  made,  but  this  is  not  true.  There 
is  a  short  pause  for  rest  between  the  beats. 

But  why  cannot  the  heart  have  long  periods  of 
complete  rest  just  like  other  muscles  of  the  body? 
This  question  brings  us  to  the  second  chapter  of  how 
the  air  assists  in  body  building.  We  know  how  air 
gets  into  the  numerous  cells  of  our  lungs.  We  have 
also  seen  howr  the  dark  blood  is  forced  from  the  right 
ventricle  of  the  heart  through  the  pulmonary  artery 
and  into  the  minute  capillaries  of  the  lungs.  By 
examining  a  drop  of  blood  with  a  microscope,  we  can 


PURE    AIE  111 

see  that  besides  a  watery  substance  called  plasma, 
it  contains  thousands  of  minute  disks  commonly 
named  corpuscles.  Now,  these  tiny  boats  in  the 
blood  carry  oxygen  to  the  tissues  of  the  body.  On 
their  circuit  through  the  capillaries  the  blood  also 
collects  carbonic  acid  gas  and  other  poisonous  matter, 
which  it  bears  to  the  lungs. 

Now  let  us  consider  the  marvelous  change  that  takes 
place  here.  In  the  cells  of  the  lungs  is  the  air  with  its 
oxygen.  In  the  capillaries,  separated  from  the  air 
only  by  the  most  delicate  of  membranes,  is  the  blood 
with  its  freight  of  carbonic  acid  gas.  The  separating 
membrane  is  so  thin  that  the  law  of  diffusion  of  gases 
still  governs.  The  blood  gives  up  much  of  its  poison- 
ous carbon  dioxid  through  the  thin  membrane, 
receiving  in  return  the  purifying  oxygen,  which  at 
once  changes  its  color  to  a  bright  red.  The  oxygen 
is  then  rapidly  borne  by  the  blood  through  the  pul- 
monary vein  to  the  left  side  of  the  heart.  The  beat- 
ing (contracting)  of  the  heart  sends  it  thence  through 
the  aorta  and  its  branching  arteries  to  the  remotest 
capillaries  of  the  body. 

While  passing  through  these  capillaries,  the  blood 
deposits  its  precious  freight  of  oxygen  wherever  tissues 
are  ready  to  be  burned.  It  also  collects  carbonic 
acid  gas  where  the  oxidized  tissues  have  produced  it, 
and  comes  back  to  the  lungs  again  to  give  up  its  dark 
cargo  of  poisonous  gases  and  receive  a  fresh  supply  of 
oxygen  in  return.  The  many  thousands  of  air-cells 


112        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

in  our  lungs  can  hold  on  the  average  more  than  a  gallon 
of  air.  All  the  vast  membrane-surface  of  these  air- 
cells,  penetrated  by  its  net-work  of  capillaries,  would, 
if  spread  out  flat,  cover  far  more  space  than  the  out- 
side surface  of  the  entire  body.  These  facts  show  us 
how  wisely  the  Creator  has  planned  for  the  complete 
purification  of  blood  in  the  lungs. 

Although  the  capacity  of  the  lungs  is  from  two  hun- 
dred fifty  to  three  hundred  fifty  cubic  inches,  about 
two  hundred  cubic  inches  usually  remain  in  them. 
On  the  average,  then,  only  one-tenth  of  the  entire 
capacity,  or  thirty  cubic  inches  (a  little  less  than  a 
pint),  is  taken  in  at  each  ordinary  breath,  one-fifth 
of  this,  or  six  cubic  inches,  being  oxygen.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  about  one-fifth  of  this  oxygen  is  given  to 
the  blood  through  the  membrane  of  the  air-cells. 
A  little  less  carbonic  acid  gas,  together  with  some 
watery  vapor,  is  thought  to  be  received  from  the  blood 
and  breathed  out  at  every  breath.  Taking  air  into 
the  lungs  is  often  called  inspiring  or  inhaling,  and 
forcing  the  air  out,  expiring  or  exhaling.  Respiration 
is  the  name  that  includes  both  acts.  When  a  person's 
respiration  is  said  to  be  twenty-five,  the  meaning  is 
that  he  breathes  both  in  and  out  twenty-five  times  a 
minute.  An  exchange  of  oxygen  for  carbonic  acid 
gas  and  watery  vapor  takes  place  every  time  men  or 
other  animals  breathe. 

All  animals  are  exchanging  carbonic  acid  gas  for 
oxygen  in  this  way.  Everything  out-of-doors  con- 


PURE   AIR  113 

taining  carbon  is  slowly  using  up  oxygen  and  giving 
out  carbon  dioxid  in  a  similar  manner.  How  does 
it  happen,  then,  that  the  useful  oxygen  is  not  used  up, 
and  all  animal  life  destroyed  by  the  poisonous  gas 
that  takes  its  place?  Nature  has  wisely  provided 
against  this  calamity  by  having  the  trees,  plants,  and 
all  vegetable  life  in  daylight  breathe  in  carbonic 
acid  gas  and  breathe  out  oxygen.  What  a  wise  pro- 
vision this  is  !  How  interesting  to  know  that  in  breath- 
ing we  may  help  to  furnish  necessary  air  material 
for  our  friends,  the  trees !  How  marvelous  is  the 
knowledge  that  each  tender  leaf  and  tiny  blade  does 
its  humble  part  toward  furnishing  the  oxygen  that 
helps  so  much  in  building  our  bodies. 

The  growing  lily  which  brightens  the  sick  room 
with  its  fragrance  and  graceful  foliage,  cheers  the  pa- 
tient by  its  beauty.  At  night,  however,  plants  breathe 
a  very  small  amount  of  oxygen,  and  for  this  reason 
or  because  of  their  fragrance  they  are  usually  taken 
from  a  sleeping  room  where  the  circulation  of  air  is 
not  good.  In  fact,  at  any  time  of  day,  very  fragrant 
flowers  may  not  be  altogether  beneficial  to  one  who  is 
ill.  It  should  be  remembered  that  pure  air  is  the 
important  requisite. 

But  the  story  of  the  air's  part  in  body  building  is 
so  strange.  Is  it  really  possible  for  us  to  see  with 
our  own  eyes  that  combustion  goes  on  readily  in  oxy- 
gen? Can  we  also  find  out  that  carbonic  acid  gas  is 
a  product  of  combustion,  and  that  neither  the  tissues 


114        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

of  our  bodies  nor  other  fuel  will  burn  readily  in  air 
that  contains  much  of  the  latter  gas?  A  few  simple 
experiments  will  plainly  prove  these  facts. 

In  a  previous  paragraph  we  learned  that  a  large 
amount  of  oxygen  is  in  the  earth's  crust.  Chlorate 
of  potash  and  manganese  dioxid  are  two  solids  that 


Preparation  of  oxygen. 

contain  a  great  deal  of  oxygen.  Half  fill  a  large  test- 
tube  with  equal  parts  of  these  substances,  and,  using 
apparatus  similar  to  that  shown  in  the  cut,  heat 
the  test-tube  over  a  gas-jet  or  alcohol  lamp  flame. 
The  oxygen,  being  set  free  by  the  heat,  will  pass 
through  the  connecting  tubes  and  fill  the  inverted 
glass  bottle.  Remove  the  bottle,  being  careful  not 
to  allow  the  oxygen  to  escape.  If  a  lighted  candle 
be  lowered  into  the  gas  thus  collected,  it  will  burn 
with  many  times  its  ordinary  brightness.  Lower  into 
a  jar  of  oxygen  a  small  piece  of  coal  that  has  been 
kindled,  and  it  will  blaze  up  as  if  it  were  charcoal. 
Tie  a  small  splinter  of  wood  to  a  fine  wire,  and,  after 
lighting  the  splinter,  lower  both  quickly  into  a  jar 


PUEE    AIR  115 

of  oxygen,  and  the  wire,  as  well  as  the  splinter,  will 
burn  brightly.  These  experiments  show  oxygen  to 
be  a  wonderful  supporter  of  combustion,  and  prove 
how  fortunate  it  is  that  this  gas  is  diluted  with  a  large 
amount  of  nitrogen  in  the  air  we  breathe. 

To  produce  carbonic  acid  gas,  place  powdered  mar- 
ble and  hydrochloric  acid  in  a  test-tube.  Without 
heating,  carbonic  acid  gas  will  be  set  free  from  the 
marble  and  will  quickly  fill  a  bottle.  Put  a  lighted 
candle  in  a  bottle  of  this  gas,  and  the  candle  will  at 
once  go  out.  If  a  mouse  be  placed  in  a  jar  of  gas  made 
in  this  way,  it  will  quickly  die  unless  air  is  let  in.  Thus 
we  see  that  carbonic  acid  gas  will  not  support  com- 
bustion, and  is  destructive  to  animal  life. 

Pour  a  half-pint  of  lime-water  into  a  bottle  of  pure 
air  or  oxygen,  shaking  briskly,  and  no  change  in  the 
appearance  of  the  lime-water  will  result.  Try  the 
same  experiment,  using  lime-water  and  carbonic  acid 
gas,  and  the  former  at  once  changes  to  a  milky  color. 
This  is  a  sure  test  for  carbonic  acid  gas,  for  any  unusual 
amount  always  turns  lime-water  a  milky  color.  Let  us 
use  this  test  in  a  few  simple  experiments  to  see  what 
it  will  tell  us  of  combustion  and  its  products. 

If  we  burn  a  lighted  splinter  in  a  bottle  of  air  or 
oxygen  and  then  pour  in  lime-water,  the  latter  becomes 
milky.  This  shows  that  the  burning  of  the  splinter 
must  have  produced  carbonic  acid  gas.  If  we  breathe 
through  a  tube  into  a  bottle  of  lime-water,  the  latter 
becomes  milky,  and,  on  this  account,  we  know  car- 


116        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


bonic  acid  gas  must  have  been  breathed  out  of  our 
lungs. 

If  we  breathe  into  a  bottle  for  a  short  time  and  then, 
without  allowing  other  air  to  get  in,  place  a  lighted 
candle  or  splinter  inside,  the  light  will  quickly  go  out. 
This  is  because  most  of  the  oxygen  has  been  breathed 


Breathing  into  a  jar  through  a 
tube  or  hollow  stem,  passed 
through  a  card.  What  happens 
to  a  lighted  candle  inserted 
into  the  jar?  Explain  this. 


The  bottle  has  been  inverted  on 
the  table,  the  card  slipped 
away,  and  the  lighted  candle 
lifted  into  the  bottle  to  see 
whether  it  will  still  burn. 


out,  and  the  carbonic  acid  gas  which  has  been  breathed 
in  will  not  support  combustion.  If  a  mouse  or  other 
small  animal  is  placed  under  a  glass  receiver  where 
no  air  can  get  in,  it  will  begin  to  show  signs  of  discom- 
fort as  soon  as  its  own  breathing  has  considerably 
increased  the  carbonic  acid  gas  and  decreased  the 
oxygen.  Its  distress  will  grow  as  unrenewed  air 
continues  to  be  breathed.  The  moment  fresh  air  is 


PURE    AIR  117 

admitted,  it  will  begin  to  revive,  but  if  the  air  is  not 
renewed,  it  will  finally  die. 

From  these  simple  experiments  three  facts  can  be 
readily  seen.  The  first  is  that  oxygen  is  needed  in  the 
body  to  burn  the  waste  tissues  and  generate  necessary 
heat  and  energy.  The  second,  that  the  union  of 
oxygen  and  our  bodily  tissues  produces  carbonic  acid 
gas,  which  must  not  remain  long  in  the  body  because 
it  is  poisonous.  The  third,  that  the  body  rids  itself 
of  much  of  this  poisonous  gas  by  expelling  it  with  the 
air  that  is  breathed  out  of  the  lungs. 

It  is  not  a  very  difficult  problem  in  arithmetic  to 
calculate  the  mighty  task  our  heart  and  lungs  perform. 
If,  as  is  estimated,  two  ounces  of  blood  are  sent  to 
the  lungs  by  each  contraction  of  the  heart,  and  there 
are  about  seventy  heart  beats  a  minute,  201,600  ounces, 
or  about  twenty-five  hogsheads,  of  blood  are  daily 
driven  through  the  lungs  to  be  purified.  Breathing 
in  thirty  cubic  inches  of  air  at  each  breath  eighteen 
times  a  minute,  twenty-four  hours  a  day,  777,600 
cubic  inches,  or  upwards  of  fifty-three  hogsheads,  of 
air  are  daily  breathed  into  the  lungs. 

Are  we  assisting  these  hard-working  organs  in  their 
prodigious  task  by  doing  all  in  our  power  to  have  the 
air  we  breathe  as  pure  as  possible?  Certainly  few 
things  can  count  more  toward  health  and  happiness 
than  fixing  the  habit  of  having  the  air  we  breathe  as, 
pure  as  conditions  will  permit. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

HOW   TO    HAVE    THE    BEST    POSSIBLE    VENTILATION 

WE  live  at  the  bottom  of  a  mass  of  atmosphere  many 
miles  high  and  so  heavy  that  its  pressure  is  estimated 
at  fifteen  pounds  to  every  square  inch  of  surface. 
Birds  fly  in  the  air  as  readily  as  fish  swim  through  the 
deepest  water,  and  we  move  about  in  it  easily,  because 
the  pressure  on  all  sides  is  equal.  Two  important  laws 
that  insure  the  right  supply  of  oxygen  have  already 
been  considered.  The  first  was  the  law  of  diffusion 
of  gases  so  that  nitrogen,  oxygen,  and  carbonic  acid 
gas  keep  at  a  fixed  per  cent.  The  second  was  the 
absorbing  of  carbonic  acid  gas  and  the  giving  out  of 
oxygen  by  plants.  A  simple  experiment  will  help 
us  to  understand  a  third  law  that  is  also  essential  to 
our  comfort  and  health. 

If  we  blow  a  bladder  or  toy  balloon  partly  full  of 
air,  and,  after  closing  its  opening,  hold  it  near  a  hot 
fire,  the  sides  will  swell  out  just  as  if  more  air  had  been 
blown  in.  This  is  because  heat  expands  air  (makes 
it  fill  more  space).  But  if  the  balloon  is  blown  full 
of  air  and  then  held  in  a  cool  place,  after  its  opening 
has  been  tightly  closed,  it  will  shrink  in  size,  just  as 
if  air  had  been  let  out.  Thus  we  see  cold  contracts  air 

118 


VENTILATION  119 

(makes  it  occupy  less  space).  Of  course,  expanded  or 
warm  air  is  lighter  than  cold  air  and  naturally  rises, 
cooler  air  rushing  in  to  fill  its  place.  In  geography, 
we  learn  that  differences  in  altitude,  the  presence  of 
large  bodies  of  water,  such  as  lakes  and  oceans,  and 
other  conditions  continually  cause  differences  in  tem- 
perature. As  a  natural  result,  warm  air  is  almost 
constantly  rising  and  cooler  air  crowding  in  to  fill  its 
place,  thus  causing  the  numerous  air  currents  and 
winds. 

The  greater  the  difference  in  temperature,  the  more 
rapidly  does  the  exchange  of  warm  and  cold  air  take 
place.  When  the  air  inside  the  house  is  about  the 
same  in  warmth  as  out-of-door  atmosphere,  very 
little  exchange  of  air  is  noticeable  on  opening  the 
doors  and  windows.  When  the  difference  between 
indoor  and  outside  temperature  is  considerable, 
however,  the  currents  of  air  passing  in  and  out  are 
strong.  Standing  in  the  doorway,  at  such  a  time,  we 
can  readily  feel  warm  air  passing  out  toward  the  top 
and  cold  air  coming  in  through  the  lower  part. 

Let  us  see  how  this  important  law  helps  us  to  get 
the  best  material  for  breathing.  The  air  leaves  our 
lungs  at  the  normal  temperature  of  the  body,  ninety- 
eight  and  six-tenths  degrees.  As  the  air  breathed  out 
is  usually  warmer  than  the  atmosphere  about  us,  it 
naturally  rises  with  its  poisonous  carbonic  acid  gas 
and  watery  vapor,  cooler  air  rushing  in  to  fill  the 
vacuum  caused  by  its  departure.  On  this  account,  the 


120        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

air  in  the  upper  part  of  an  occupied  room  is  likely  to 
be  both  warmer  and  less  pure  than  that  in  the  lower 
part. 

We  need  not,  then,  be  concerned  about  the  air  we 
breathe  out,  for  it  quickly  rises  and  becomes  mixed 
with  the  atmosphere  surrounding  us.  The  thing  to 
make  sure  of  is  that  the  air  we  breathe  in  is  pure. 
When  out-of-doors  we  may,  as  a  rule,  be  certain  of  a 
pure  supply,  for  the  free  atmosphere  usually  insures 
quick  diffusion  of  the  air  breathed  out.  When  in- 
doors, we  should  see  that  there  is  an  opening  for  a 
sufficient  amount  of  pure  air  to  get  into  a  room  and 
another  for  the  impure  air  to  escape.  The  openings 
should  be  so  arranged  as  to  keep  the  air  in  motion 
and  cause  it  to  be  continually  changing.  By  such  an 
arrangement  the  atmosphere  may  be  kept  in  good 
condition  for  breathing.  Replacing  the  foul  air  of  a 
room  or  building  with  pure  air  is  called  ventilation. 

But  some  may  say:  "I  don't  see  the  need  of  being 
so  particular.  Why  is  it  not  just  as  well  to  keep  on 
breathing  the  same  air  over  and  over?  There  can't 
be  much  difference  between  the  air  breathed  in  and 
the  air  breathed  out,  at  least  we  cannot  see  any."  This 
is  one  of  the  important  things  we  must  believe  with- 
out seeing,  for  chemists  have  discovered  that  the  air 
breathed  out  contains  one-fifth  less  oxygen,  one  hun- 
dred times  more  carbonic  acid  gas,  and  twice  as  much 
watery  vapor  as  the  air  breathed  in.  And  this  watery 
vapor  differs  from  that  of  the  air  inhaled,  because  the 


VENTILATION  121 

breathing  organs  send  along  with  it  many  particles 
of  fetid  matter  which  have  a  noxious  smell  and  may 
also  contain  disease  germs.  Not  only  does  this  unclean 
watery  vapor  pass  from  the  lungs,  but  the  pores  of 
the  skin  are  also  continually  giving  it  out. 

When  we  go  into  a  poorly  ventilated  room  contain- 
ing a  number  of  people,  the  disagreeable  odor  noticed 
is  not  carbonic  acid  gas,  though  much  of  it  may  be 
present,  for  that  is  odorless.  It  is  the  smell  from  the 
fetid  matter  in  the  watery  vapor  breathed  out  by  the 
people  in  the  room.  If  this  could  be  seen,  we  certainly 
should  take  much  greater  care  to  have  a  good  circu- 
lation of  air  in  dwelling  and  assembly  rooms.  It  is 
unquestionably  true  that  facts  learned  in  physiology 
lessons  and  emphasized  only  now  and  then,  through 
the  sense  of  smell,  do  not  make  the  same  impression 
as  something  visible. 

People  who  are  too  particular  to  drink  from  the 
same  cup  or  glass  others  have  used,  often  sit  in  close 
rooms  breathing  in  foul  air  that  they  and  others  have 
breathed  out,  without  any  thought  about  its  lack  of 
cleanliness  or  the  numerous  disease  germs  it  may 
contain.  Without  the  slightest  concern,  they  breathe 
in  noxious  particles  of  tissue  that  have  been  expelled 
from  the  breathing  organs  of  others.  Any  irritation 
of  the  throat  or  lungs,  cold,  headache,  or  other  dis- 
agreeable feeling,  naturally  resulting  from  breathing 
impure  air,  is  usually  charged  to  cold  air.  An  effort 
may  be  made  to  remember  when  and  where  they  were 


122        THE    WONDERFUL    HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

careless  enough  to  sit  in  a  draught.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  if  enough  windows  had  been  opened  to  cause  a 
good  circulation  of  air,  the  breathing  supply  would 
have  been  kept  pure  and  probably  illness  might  not 
have  resulted.  Free  circulation  of  air  in  a  room  can 
usually  be  had  without  forcing  any  of  its  occupants  to 
sit  in  a  draught.  The  danger  from  such  exposure 
seems  to  be  very  generally  understood,  but  if  many 
people  were  only  half  as  fearful  of  breathing  unclean 
air  as  they  are  of  being  in  draughts,  vigorous  health 
would  certainly  be  much  more  common. 

But  if  we  cannot  see  the  filth  in  the  air,  is  there  any 
way  of  telling  whether  the  atmosphere  we  are  in  is 
fit  to  breathe?  Certainly  the  sense  of  smell  cannot 
be  trusted.  The  noxious  odor  is  quickly  noticed  when 
we  first  enter  a  room  where  the  air  is  impure.  How- 
ever, if  we  remain  in  such  atmosphere  for  a  time,  or 
have  been  one  of  the  number  present  from  the  be- 
ginning, our  nostrils  gradually  become  used  to  the 
disagreeable  odor  and  cease  to  give  warning  of  the 
danger.  The  best  plan  is  to  get  into  the  habit  of 
noticing  whether  the  arrangements  for  ventilating  a 
room  are  such  as  will  keep  the  air  pure.  How  large 
a  room  is  and  whether  there  are  openings  for  the  air 
to  get  in  and  out,  can  usually  be  told  at  a  glance. 

An  artificial  light  usually  consumes  several  times  as 
much  air  as  each  person.  An  oil  lamp  vitiates  the 
air  of  a  room  much  faster  than  an  ordinary  gas  jet. 
The  burning  of  a  mantle  gas-jet  makes  the  air  impure 


YEN  TIL  A  TION  123 

less  quickly  than  an  ordinary  jet,  and  an  incandescent 
electric  light  is  the  most  hygienic  of  all.  Strange  to 
say,  a  candle  makes  the  air  impure  more  quickly 
than  any  of  the  lights  mentioned.  Knowing  these 
facts,  if  we  judge  the  atmosphere  of  a  room  must  be 
getting  impure,  we  should  ask  to  have  some  windows 
opened. 

Lucky,  indeed,  shall  we  be,  if  some  draught-timid 
person  does  not  object  to  the  open  windows  before 
the  air  has  had  a  chance  to  purify  itself.  Surely, 
where  politeness  compels  us  to  forego  trying  to  secure 
proper  ventilation,  it  is  justifiable  to  be  excused  as 
soon  as  possible  from  remaining  in  such  air.  At  first 
thought,  this  may  seem  too  particular,  but  do  we  not 
really  owe  it  to  our  bodies  to  furnish  them  with  fresh 
air?  When  we  accidentally  get  into  the  presence  of 
decaying  animal  matter  that  can  be  seen,  we  either 
have  it  removed  or  go  away  ourselves  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. May  not  furnishing  one's  guests  foul  air  to 
breathe  be  even  more  inconsiderate  than  it  would  be 
to  serve  decayed  food  to  eat  ?  The  latter  they  would 
easily  discover  themselves  and  let  alone,  with  only  a 
few  disagreeable  moments  as  a  result.  The  former 
may  go  undetected  for  an  entire  evening,  and  cause 
hours  of  discomfort  afterward. 

When  officers  of  schools,  churches,  and  other  public 
buildings  realize  that  one  of  their  most  important 
duties  is  to  see  that  an  abundant  supply  of  clean,  pure 
air  is  furnished,  it  will  be  a  great  boon  for  all.  It  is, 


124        THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

of  course,  most  essential  to  have  plenty  of  pure  air 
in  the  schoolroom,  for  in  it  numerous  pairs  of  lungs 
must  be  supplied  with  oxygen  five  or  more  hours  a 
day.  The  vitality  of  many  people  may  no  doubt  be 
lessened  by  the  impure  air  in  churches  and  other  large 
assembly  halls,  and  troublesome  and  even  dangerous 
diseases  may  be  contracted  as  a  result.  The  possi- 
bility of  serious  injury,  however,  is  not  nearly  as  great 
as  in  schoolrooms,  because  the  sessions  are  shorter 
and  much  less  frequent. 

Can  it  be  proved  that  people  have  really  been 
injured  by  breathing  impure  air?  Two  often  quoted 
events  establish  this  fact  beyond  a  doubt.  In  the 
year  1756,  the  Nawab  of  Bengal,  having  attacked  the 
employees  of  the  East  India  Company  in  Calcutta, 
made  prisoners  of  one  hundred  forty-six.  At  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening  these  prisoners  were  confined 
in  a  room  twenty  feet  square,  having  two  small  win- 
dows. Soon  their  sufferings  began  to  be  terrible. 
They  fought  for  places  near  the  windows,  trampled 
one  another  under  foot,  and  even  begged  the  guards 
to  shoot.  At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  but  fifty 
were  living,  and  at  daybreak,  only  twenty-three. 
Ever  since  that  terrible  night  this  dungeon  has  been 
known  as  "The  Black  Hole  of  Calcutta."  As  there 
were  two  windows,  a  few  persons  might  have  survived, 
even  in  that  hot  climate,  but  the  supply  of  air  was 
far  too  small  for  the  number  of  prisoners  confined. 

Some  years   ago  the    steamer    Londonderry,  which 


YEN  TIL  A  TION  125 

had  set  out  from  Liverpool,  was  overtaken  by  a  great 
storm.  On  this  account,  one  hundred  fifty  steerage 
passengers  were  compelled  to  go  into  a  room  below 
the  deck,  and,  to  keep  the  water  out,  the  cover  to 
the  entrance  was  nailed  down.  This  unwise  pre- 
caution also  kept  the  air  from  getting  in.  "The 
wretched  passengers  were  now  compelled  to  breathe 
over  and  over  again  the  same  air.  There  occurred 
a  horrible  scene  of  frenzy  and  violence,  amid  the  groans 
of  the  dying  and  the  curses  of  the  more  robust. 
Finally,  one  of  the  sufferers  managed  to  force  his  way 
on  deck  and  alarm  the  mate,  who  was  called  to  a  fear- 
ful spectacle.  Seventy-two  were  already  dead  and 
many  were  dying.'7  All  this  occurred  within  six  hours. 

While  other  similar  examples  might  be  given,  such 
fatal  results  of  rebreathing  the  air  breathed  out  are 
infrequent,  because  it  is  not  usual  for  a  large  number 
of  persons  to  be  in  such  a  small  space.  Besides,  few 
rooms  are  built  so  tight  that,  in  our  climate,  more  or 
less  exchange  of  air  does  not  take  place  through 
various  openings.  These  incidents  do,  however,  viv- 
idly emphasize  this  fact:  the  air  breathed  out  from 
our  lungs  will  become  harmful  to  rebreathe  unless  the 
room  we  are  in  is  well  supplied  with  pure  air. 

It  has  been  estimated  that  three  persons  in  a  tight 
room  fifteen  feet  long,  twelve  feet  wide,  and  nine  feet 
high  will  vitiate  the  air  in  a  little  more  than  two  hours. 
If  lights  are  burning,  the  air  will  be  made  unfit  for 
breathing  much  more  quickly.  Twelve  persons  in 


126        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

a  room  sixteen  feet  long,  twenty  feet  wide,  and  nine 
feet  high  make  the  atmosphere  impure  in  an  hour, 
provided  there  is  no  ventilation.  Two  persons  sleep- 
ing in  a  closed  bedroom  ten  feet  long,  ten  feet  wide, 
and  eight  feet  high,  make  the  air  unfit  for  respiration 
in  less  than  two  hours.  During  this  short  period 
several  ounces  of  watery  vapor  containing  noxious 
waste  particles  of  matter  have  been  given  off  from  the 
lungs  and  skin.  If  a  third  person  should  come  from 
pure  atmosphere  into  such  a  room,  the  odor  would 
be. almost  unbearable.  The  sleepers'  noses,  however, 
having  become  accustomed  to  it  gradually,  do  not 
warn  them  of  the  dangerous  and  disgusting  air  they 
are  breathing. 

We  know  people  are  often  in  close  rooms  several 
hours  at  a  time  without  meeting  any  quickly  fatal 
results.  What,  then,  is  the  harm  ?  Impure  air  dulls 
the  senses,  and  also  makes  one  physically  restless  and 
uneasy.  Often  when  pupils  are  stupid  and  inattentive 
in  school,  the  air,  not  the  lack  of  brains  or  desire  to 
learn,  is  to  blame.  There  is  no  better  aid  to  successful 
teaching  or  preaching  than  plenty  of  pure,  fresh  air. 
Wise,  indeed,  are  the  teachers  and  preachers  who 
realize  this  fact.  When  the  normal  supply  of  oxygen 
is  reduced  in  the  air  we  breathe,  too  much  carbonic 
acid  gas  and  waste  tissue  are  retained  in  the  blood ; 
and  on  this  account  all  the  organs  and  functions  of 
the  body  are  impaired,  for  the  time  being  at  least. 
When  the  use  of  such  air  is  frequent,  the  vigor  and 


VENTILATION 


127 


tone  of  the  body  are  naturally  lessened.  In  such 
condition  the  numerous  disease  germs  that  infest  the 
air  are  offered  a  good  opportunity  to  give  us  colds, 
catarrh,  tuberculosis,  and  many  other  chronic  diseases. 

What  can  we  do  to 
avoid  such  unpleasant 
results  ?  Form  the 
habit  of  having  the 
air  of  rooms  in  which 
we  spend  our  time  as 
nearly  like  out-of- 
door  atmosphere  as 
possible.  In  summer 
this  should  be  done 
by  opening  doors  and 
windows.  But  even 
in  warm  weather  some 
people  keep  both 
closed,  because  so 
much  dust  enters. 
How  unwise  such  a  practice  is ! 


Girl  dusting  with  a  cloth  moistened  in  liquid 
veneer  or  some  similar  preparation. 


A  few  moments ' 
use  of  a  moist  cloth  will  remove  the  dust,  but  how 
to  make  up  for  the  vigor  lost  by  rebreathing  the 
breathed-out  air  is  difficult  to  tell.  Many  persons 
try  to  do  this  by  taking  various  medicines.  This  is, 
at  the  best,  an  expensive  and  most  unsatisfactory  plan. 
For  Nature's  remedies,  fresh  air,  wholesome  food, 
pure  water,  and  judicious  exercise,  medicines  are, 
indeed,  poor  substitutes. 


128        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

While  sleeping,  all  can  have  the  air  as  nearly  like 
the  out-of-door  atmosphere  as  open  windows  can  make 
it.  We  cannot  have  such  air  during  daytime  in  cold 
weather,  because  artificial  heat  must  keep  the  tempera- 
ture warm  enough  for  comfortable  work  while  sitting. 
At  night,  however,  with  the  bedclothes  to  keep  us 
warm,  the  precious  privilege  of  breathing  the  cool 
bracing  air  from  outside  may  be  ours. 

Persons  afflicted  with  the  dread  "  White  Plague/' 
consumption,  who  have  gone  to  mountain  resorts  to 
recover  health,  have  found  that  the  most  important 
factors  in  their  treatment  have  been  abundance  of  pure 
air  and  nourishing  food.  When  too  weak  to  do  much 
walking,  such  patients  sit  out-of-doors  all  day,  pro- 
tected from  storms  by  verandas.  This  practice  is 
followed  in  cold  weather  as  well  as  in  summer,  fur 
coats,  steamer  rugs,  and  hot  soapstones  being  used  to 
help  them  keep  warm  without  exercise.  At  night 
the  windows  are  left  open,  summer  and  winter,  for 
plentiful  bed  clothing  and,  when  necessary,  a  hot- 
water  bag  at  the  feet,  keep  the  patient  warm. 

Occasionally  patients  reach  such  resorts  so  weak 
that  they  have  to  be  carried  from  their  rooms  to  the 
veranda.  Nevertheless,  they  soon  become  gradually 
accustomed  to  the  out-of-door  treatment  and  thrive 
on  it.  The  lives  of  hundreds  of  people  afflicted  with 
this  terrible  disease  have  been  saved  in  such  resorts 
by  the  use  of  abundant  pure  air  and  nutritious  food. 
Hundreds  of  others  who  have  been  unable  to  remain 


VENTILATION  129 

until  health  was  fully  restored,  have  returned  to  their 
homes  and  got  completely  well  there.  The  enforced 
stay  in  the  mountains  taught  them  the  great  value  of 
pure  out-of-door  air,  and  they  made  practical  use  of  this 
knowledge  after  coming  back  to  the  duties  of  home 
and  business  life. 

If  such  persons  had  learned  fully  to  appreciate  the 
great  value  of  pure,  cold  air,  years  before,  the  unhappy 
experience  of  leaving  business  and  friends  for  such  a 
long  period  might  have  been  easily  avoided.  While 
we  hear  more  about  out-of-door  treatment  in  con- 
nection with  consumption  than  with  other  diseases, 
there  is  no  doubt  about  pure  air  being  most  helpful 
in  aiding  the  body  to  get  rid  of  any  illness.  The  prac- 
tice of  having  every  door  and  window  shut  so  as  to 
keep  air  from  patients  ill  with  colds  or  other  diseases, 
is  most  unwise.  Through  such  precautions,  the  very 
best  curative  which  an  all-wise  Creator  has  furnished 
is  kept  from  doing  its  benign  work. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  if  out-of-door  air  works 
such  wonders  for  sick  people,  all  should  have  it  abun- 
dantly from  babyhood  to  old  age.  That  neglecting  to 
make  free  use  of  this  " life-giving  air  from  on  high" 
until  failing  health  or  dread  disease  compels  it,  is 
most  unwise,  also  goes  without  saying.  The  oxygen 
that  helps  to  give  the  merry  skater  rosy  cheeks,  spar- 
kling eyes,  and  active  grace  is  just  outside  our  windows 
on  frosty  nights.  Why  do  we  let  it  in  so  sparingly? 
Often  because  a  warm  room  is  wanted  to  dress  in  next 


130        THE    WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

morning.  If  we  stop  coddling  ourselves  in  this  respect 
and  let  the  useful  oxygen  have  a  chance  to  do  its  mar- 
velous part  in  our  building  during  sleeping  hours, 
we  shall  certainly  form  one  of  the  most  beneficial 
health  habits.  Every  boy  and  girl  who  wants  to 
be  as  strong  and  good-looking  as  possible  should  sleep 
with  open  windows. 

How  noticeably  healthy  and  rugged  are  the  sailors, 
farmers,  omnibus  drivers,  and  others  whose  work  is  out- 
of-doors.  It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  persons  who 
follow  such  vocations,  and  are  not  addicted  to  the  use 
of  alcoholic  drinks,  usually  enjoy  perfect  health.  All, 
of  course,  cannot  engage  in  out-of-door  occupations, 
but,  by  becoming  used  to  cold  air  and  insisting  that 
the  supply  be  as  pure  as  possible,  indoor  workers  may 
enjoy  much  more  of  the  same  rugged  health. 

It  is  a  promising  sign  that  the  benefits  of  out-of- 
door  air  are  becoming  more  generally  appreciated. 
The  ventilation  of  buildings  has  been  much  improved 
in  recent  years.  Hospitals  adapted  for  out-of-door 
treatment  have  been  established  in  several  states. 
Occasionally  we  hear  of  people  who  are  sleeping  in 
cots  on  their  verandas.  In  cities,  the  practice  of  let- 
ting babies,  warmly  wrapped,  take  their  naps  in  their 
carriages  on  the  veranda  or  near  a  wide-open  window, 
is  daily  growing.  The  good  results  attending  all  of 
such  practices  will  surely  extend  them. 

What  can  we  do  to  make  the  air  of  our  homes, 
offices,  and  workshops  as  pure  as  possible?  When 


VENTILATION"  131 

the  heat  comes  from  a  furnace,  we  can  be  careful  to 
see  that  the  air  supply  is  taken  from  outdoors  through 
a  cold-air  box  and  not  from  the  cellar.  This  is  a  good 
plan,  because  cellar  air  is  likely  to  be  impure,  and, 
at  the  best,  is  not  equal  to  the  outdoor  atmosphere. 
If  our  rooms  are  heated  by  stoves,  there  should  be 
sufficient  draught  to  carry  off  poisonous  gases,  and 
care  should  be  taken  that  there  are  no  leaking  places. 
Coal  gas  forms  in  large  quantities  when  coal  is  first 
put  on  a  fire.  For  this  reason,  the  drafts  should  be 
previously  so  arranged  that  the  gas  will  go  up  the 
chimney  and  not  get  into  the  atmosphere  of  the  living 
rooms.  This  gas  is  very  harmful,  because  the  blood 
takes  it  up  from  the  lungs  far  more  readily  than  it 
does  oxygen. 

A  gas  stove  that  does  not  require  pipe  is  sold,  the 
claim  being  made  by  some  dealers  that  it  does  not 
vitiate  the  air.  This  claim  is  not  true.  Oxygen  is 
used  up  in  the  burning,  and  carbonic  acid  gas  results 
from  it  just  as  in  any  other  combustion.  Unless  there 
is  very  free  ventilation,  such  a  stove  is  sure  to  make 
the  air  unfit  for  breathing. 

It  should  be  possible  to  lower  windows  from  the 
top  as  well  as  to  raise  them  from  the  bottom.  Great 
care  should  be  taken  to  have  the  transoms  of  school 
rooms  open.  If  a  few  of  the  small  ventilating  win- 
dows along  the  upper  part  of  street  cars  are  kept  open, 
there  is  a  chance  for  both  a  free  circulation  of  the 
atmosphere  and  the  escape  of  the  impure  air  from 


132        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


these  commonly  used  vehicles.  A  device  like  the 
one  below  is  good  in  cold  weather  to  help  in  ven- 
tilating a  room.  The  board  holding  up  the  lower 
sash  allows  air  to  come  in  between  the  sashes  in 
such  a  way  that  injurious  draughts 
will. not  be  caused.  One  of  the 
very  best  helps  in  securing  good 
ventilation  is  a  fireplace.  The 
fire  heats  the  air  in  the  chimney, 
causing  it  to  rise.  The  air  of 
the  room  naturally  crowds  in  to 
take  its  place,  and  so,  if  there  is 
sufficient  chance  for  pure  air  to  get 
into  the  room,  the  atmosphere 


Ventilating  in  cold  weather,  may  be  kept  in  excellent  condi- 

keeping  the  lower  sash  of    ti         f        breathing. 
a   window    raised    by    a 

board.  Of  course,  at  the  best,  indoor  air 

is  a  poor  substitute  for  the  free  air  outside.  For  this 
reason,  every  one  should  be  out-of-doors  as  much  as 
possible,  earnestly  aiming  to  become  hardened  to 
wind  arid  weather.  How  many  people  in  waiting 
for  a  car  or  train  stay  in  a  crowded  station,  breath- 
ing air  fairly  reeking  with  waste  particles  of  tissue 
and  microbes,  just  because  the  outdoor  air  is  a  little 
cold.  Walking  up  and  down  while  taking  in  deep 
breaths  of  the  frosty  air  would  give  the  glow  of 
natural  warmth,  together  with  a  healthful  toning  up 
of  the  nervous  system.  These,  no  doubt,  would  be 
followed  by  keener  relish  of  the  evening  meal  and 


VENTILATION 


133 


sounder  and  more  restful  sleep.  Perhaps,  if  such 
benefits  were  considered,  this  lack  of  hardihood  would 
be  less  common. 

Many  people  eagerly  spy  their  own  ailments  among 
the  thousand  and  one  ills  a  new  patent  medicine  is 
advertised  to  cure,  and  do  not  delay  giving  it  a  trial. 


A  fireplace  helps  in  ventilating  a  room. 

If  they  hear  of  some  person  who  knows  some  one  else 
who  has  a  friend  that  has  been  cured  by  a  new  kind 
of  healer,  they  cannot  rest  until  this  person  has  exer- 
cised his  science  or  healing  touch  on  them.  But 
God's  wonderful  air,  which  can  be  had  without  money 
and  without  price,  they  shun  as  if  it  were  a  deadly 
poison. 

Do  we  wish  to  belong  to  the  fortunate  class  who 
have  no  need  for  patent  medicines  or  other  remedies? 
Would  we  be  among  those  who  thoroughly  enjoy  both 


134        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

work  and  play,  and  whose  clear  brains  and  ready 
muscles  are  able  to  meet  the  demands  made  upon  them 
without  nervousness  or  undue  fatigue?  Then  let 
us  improve  every  opportunity  of  being  out-of-doors. 
In  summer  we  can  read  on  the  veranda  rather  than  in 
the  house,  and  take  the  open  car  instead  of  the  closed, 
when  riding  is  necessary.  At  any  season  we  can  walk 
whatever  distance  time  and  strength  will  permit,  to 
avoid  breathing  the  close  air  of  a  crowded  car.  In 
fact,  whenever  we  have  a  choice  of  being  in  or  out  of 
doors,  we  can  always  let  our  preference  be  for  the  free, 
bracing  air  outside. 

When  we  are  in  places  where  the  air  must  necessarily 
be  close,  we  should  avail  ourselves  of  an  opportunity  to 
get  a  few  breaths  of  fresh  air  as  eagerly  as  we  should 
get  a  drink  of  cold  water  when  thirsty.  For  instance, 
on  a  railroad  trip,  when  it  is  impossible  to  have  the 
car  windows  open,  we  can  go  to  the  platform  at  the 
stopping  places  and  fill  our  lungs  with  the  oxygen-laden 
air  from  outside.  The  car  sickness  and  dull  feeling 
that  often  attend  such  journeys  might  thus  be  greatly 
lessened.  Whether  in  school,  in  church,  at  home,  or 
in  business,  let  us  use  our  influence  for  a  pure  air 
supply,  and  be  just  as  eager  for  it  as  if  it  were  some 
high-priced  elixir.  Of  this  we  may  be  sure :  there  is 
no  elixir  that  begins  to  equal  the  pure  air  of  heaven. 


CHAPTER  XV 

OTHER   IMPORTANT   FACTS   ABOUT   AIR 

So  much  is  said  about  the  difference  between  city 
and  country  air,  that  we  might  think  the  latter  has 
much  less  carbonic  acid  gas  and  far  more  oxygen  than 
the  former.  Sea  and  mountain  air  have  been  found 
to  contain  more  of  a  bracing  form  of  oxygen  called 
ozone  than  have  other  regions.  The  atmosphere  is 
so  vast,  however,  and  its  movements  are  so  far-reach- 
ing that  the  law  of  diffusion  usually  keeps  the  percen- 
tage of  the  important  elements  in  outdoor  air  very 
nearly  normal.  Yet  there  is  a  great  difference  in 
cleanliness  between  air  in  the  city  and  air  in  the  country. 
The  amount  of  smoke  and  dust  is  far  greater  in  city 
air.  It  also  naturally  follows  that  where  so  many 
people  live,  much  more  decaying  animal  and  vegetable 
matter  and  other  waste  materials  are  present  to  give 
off  their  noxious  gases. 

Another  important  difference  is  the  far  greater 
percentage  of  bacteria  or  microbes  in  city  air.  In 
previous  chapters  we  have  learned  of  these  little 
organisms  as  destroyers  of  food,  but  there  are  many 
different  kinds.  It  has  been  found  that  some  cause 
various  diseases  with  which  our  bodies  can  become 

135 


136        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

afflicted,  and  that  such  germs  are  numerous  in  dust  and 
dirt.  Certain  harmful  kinds  keep  alive  in  damp, 
unclean  parts  of  a  house  or  yard.  If  there  were  no 
other,  this  alone  would  be  sufficient  reason  for  keeping 
every  part  of  our  homes  and  premises  thoroughly 
clean. 

In  selecting  a  site  for  a  house,  high,  well-drained 
land  should  be  chosen  rather  than  that  which  is  low 
and  holds  water.  Soil  which  is  sandy  and  soaks  up 
rain  quickly  should  be  preferred  to  that  which  is 
moist  and  difficult  for  the  water  to  soak  into.  Lo- 
calities near  cemeteries  should  be  avoided,  especially 
if  the  drinking  water  comes  from  a  well  or  spring  in 
such  a  neighborhood.  Care  should  also  be  taken 
not  to  build  houses  near  marshes  or  stagnant  water. 
If  a  house  is  situated  in  a  damp  place,  the  land  should 
be  thoroughly  drained. 

Sunshine  is  one  of  the  most  helpful  partners  of  pure 
air  in  building  our  bodies.  We  know  how  a  plant 
that  has  almost  died  in  a  shady  part  of  the  yard 
will  grow  and  thrive  when  transplanted  to  a  sunny 
corner.  This  glorious  sunshine  will  effect  just  as 
magical  results  in  our  building,  if  we  only  let  it. 
Often  there  is  nothing  more  beneficial  to  our  bodies 
than  to  be  out  in  its  health-giving  rays.  One  of 
the  great  benefits  it  performs  is  to  make  microbes 
harmless,  and,  for  this  reason,  it  is  most  essential  to 
have  our  homes  let  in  abundant  sunshine  as  well  as 
fresh  air.  If  trees  and  shrubbery  keep  too  much  sun- 


OTHER  IMPORTANT  FACTS  ABOUT  AIR  137 

shine  away,  they  should  be  removed.  The  fact  that 
they  are  beautiful  and  add  to  the  fine  appearance  of 
the  house  should  not  save  them.  Healthfulness  of 
the  home  is  the  first  consideration,  and  even  beautiful 
foliage  should  be  sacrificed,  if  its  presence  makes  the 
indoor  atmosphere  damp  and  unwholesome. 

By  examining  the  air  of  different  schoolrooms,  it  has 
been  found  that  microbes  are  not  nearly  as  numer- 
ous in  well  ventilated  buildings  as  in  those  of  opposite 
character.  A  carpeted  room  which  has  been  recently 
swept  and  dusted  has  been  discovered  to  have  more 
germs  in  its  air  than  were  present  before  the  sweep- 
ing. Therefore  there  is  an  advantage  in  having  var- 
nished or  painted  floors,  covered  with  rugs  instead  of 
carpets.  The  rugs  may  be  cleaned  out-of-doors,  while 
the  damp  cloths  used  to  wipe  up  the  dust  from  the 
floors  and  furniture  may  be  washed  in  hot  water,  thus 
destroying  the  germs,  or  at  least  removing  them  from 
the  room.  Dusting  should  always  be  done  with  a 
cloth  moistened  in  liquid  veneer  or  some  similar  prepa- 
ration, when  it  can  be  done  without  injury  to 
polished  surfaces,  for  then  the  atmosphere  may  be 
kept  free  from  the  dust  and  germs  which  are  stirred 
up  by  a  dry  cloth  or  duster. 

Pains  should  also  be  taken  not  to  let  the  tempera- 
ture of  an  artificially  heated  room  rise  above  seventy 
degrees,  and  a  few  degrees  lower  is  even  better  if  it 
does  not  cause  discomfort.  In  Great  Britain  the 
temperature  of  schoolrooms  in  cold  weather  is  com- 


138       THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

• 

monly  kept  from  fifty  to  sixty  degrees.  Recently 
five  hundred  British  teachers  visited  the  schools  of 
the  United  States,  and  our  buildings  seemed  uncom- 
fortably hot  to  them.  One  of  the  things  some  of  them 
commented  unfavorably  on  was  the  pale,  unhealthy 
appearance  of  many  of  our  school  children.  This, 
they  thought,  might  be  due  to  the  unnecessarily  warm 
atmosphere  of  the  schoolrooms.  Many  good  authori- 
ties in  our  own  country  are  of  the  opinion  that,  as 
a  general  thing,  an  indoor  temperature  of  sixty-five 
degrees  is  more  suitable  than  seventy,  especially  in 
schools  and  other  public  places.  As  the  temperature 
of  the  room  rises  above  seventy  degrees,  the  occupants 
become  less  active  mentally  and  more  inclined  to  be 
nervous.  In  this  condition  it  is,  of  course,  not  possible 
to  do  the  best  work. 

Remaining  for  some  time  in  too  warm  a  temperature 
also  gets  one  in  just  the  condition  to  take  cold  easily 
upon  going  into  the  cold  air  out-of-doors.  It  is 
doubtless  more  important  to  form  an  early  acquaint- 
ance with  a  thermometer  than  with  a  clock.  Every 
living  or  working  room  should  contain  one,  and  it 
should  be  consulted  even  more  often  than  the  familiar 
friend  that  faithfully  ticks  the  seconds  away.  In 
schoolrooms  watchfulness  of  temperature  is  especially 
important.  If  the  temperature  of  schoolrooms  had 
always  been  kept  at  seventy  degrees  or  below,  many 
cases  of  colds,  headache,  and  more  serious  diseases 
would  probably  have  been  avoided.  Numerous  in- 


OTHER  IMPORTANT  FACTS  ABOUT  AIR 


139 


stances  of    disobedience   and  inattention  might  also 
have   been   prevented. 

When  we  come  from  out-of-doors  into  a  room  where 
the  temperature  is  too  high,  the  uncom- 
fortable state  of  the  air  is  readily  noticed. 
The  occupants  of  the  room,  however,  hav- 
ing gradually  become  accustomed  to  the 
warm  atmosphere,  are  not  aware  of  its  con- 
dition. It  would  be  a  fine  thing  to  equip 
schoolrooms  and  other  assembling  places 
with  alarm  thermometers.  If  such  a  ther- 
mometer would  give  notice  of  the  harmful 
condition  of  the  air  so  vigorously  that  im- 
mediate attention  would  be  given  to  cool- 
ing it,  much  benefit  might  result. 

Some  people  have  an  idea  that  if  the  air 
of  a  room  is  cold,  it  must  necessarily  be 
fit  for  breathing.  For  this  reason,  no  win- 
dows are  opened  in  their  unheated  sleeping 
rooms  in  cold  weather.  While  some  air 
will  come  through  walls  and  windows  when 
the  atmosphere  outside  is  cold  enough  to  have  good 
ventilation,  there  should  be  some  openings  through 
which  the  breathed-out  air  may  escape  and  the  pure 
air  come  in  freely.  We  should  remember  that  to 
have  our  breathing  supply  pure,  a  free  circulation 
of  air  is  necessary,  and  should  arrange  for  it  intelli- 
gently in  both  winter  and  summer. 

Any  one  can  easily  be  convinced  of  the  truth  of  this 


Thermometer. 


140        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

statement  by  passing  from  pure  air  into  a  closed  cold 
room  in  which  people  have  been  sleeping  all  night. 
The  lifeless,  bad-smelling  air  observed  is  the  best 
possible  argument.  There  is,  however,  foundation  for 
the  prejudice  some  people  have  against  night  air, 
especially  in  localities  where  the  ground  is  moist. 
In  daytime  the  numerous  germs  that  breed  in  such 
ground  are  destroyed  by  the  sunlight,  but  at  night 
they  may  £>e  present  in  the  lower  strata  of  air.  On 
this  account,  it  is  usually  more  healthful  to  sleep  on 
the  upper  floors  of  a  house  than  on  the  first  floor. 
The  lower  air  naturally  contains  more  dust,  and  for 
this  reason  is  less  desirable. 

As  has  been  said  in  previous  chapters,  care  must  be 
taken  not  to  let  the  atmosphere  of  a  room  get  too  dry, 
for  then  it  will  take  up  from  our  bodies  moisture  that 
the  tissues  really  need.  A  dry  or  parched  feeling  in 
the  nose  or  throat  is  usually  a  warning  that  the  air 
we  are  breathing  needs  more  moisture.  In  caring  for 
a  furnace  the  water  box  should  be  filled  just  as  regu- 
larly as  coal  is  supplied.  If  this  does  not  moisten 
the  air  sufficiently,  a  small  basin  of  water  may  be  kept 
before  the  registers  of  the  rooms  that  are  much  occu- 
pied. An  open  dish  of  water  on  either  a  coal  or  a  gas 
stove  improves  the  quality  of  the  breathing  supply, 
as  the  air  takes  up  some  of  the  water. 

What  boys  and  girls  cannot  tell  how  they  like  the 
bread  and  eggs,  the  potatoes  and  beefsteak,  that  are 
served  for  breakfast  or  dinner?  As  to  whether  these 


OTHER  IMPORTANT  FACTS  ABOUT  AIR  141 

shall  be  well  or  under  done,  seasoned  little  or  much, 
each  has  a  definite  choice.  Surely  the  left-over  scraps 
from  a  former  meal  would  not  please  many,  unless 
they  were  prepared  again  in  an  appetizing  and  whole- 
some manner.  We  certainly  ought  to  be  even  more 
particular  about  our  air  supply.  Surely  we  should 
not  take  into  our  bodies  air  that  we  or  others  have 
breathed  out,  if  it  has  not  had  a  chance  to  purify 
itself  by  mixing  with  pure  free  air.  There  is  good 
reason  for  being  more  particular  about  taxing  our 
breathing  organs  and  blood  with  air  that  is  too  warm 
than  about  burning  our  mouths  with  food  that  is  too 
hot.  Nor  can  any  one  deny  that  we  should  be  as 
careful  about  breathing  air  with  insufficient  moisture 
as  we  are  about  eating  food  that  is  too  dry. 

Unfortunately  our  senses  do  not  warn  us  of  bad  air 
conditions  as  readily  as  they  do  of  the  unsatisfactory 
state  of  our  food.  Safety  from  injurious  effects  of 
unfit  air  lies  chiefly  in  the  early  forming  of  correct 
ideas  and  habits  concerning  this  precious  material. 
Whether  our  lives  shall  be  blessed  with  long-continued 
health,  strength,  activity,  and  happiness  depends 
largely  upon  the  formation  of  such  ideas  and  habits 
now. 

Have  we  been  careless  in  regard  to  this  most  bene- 
ficial gift  of  the  Creator?  Then  we  cannot  start  too 
soon  to  have  the  air  we  breathe  clean  and  pure, 
without  too  much  heat  or  insufficient  moisture.  Have 
we  been  spending  needless  time  indoors?  Then  we 


142        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

should  make  it  a  point  to  be  in  the  out-of-door  air  as 
much  as  we  can,  and,  when  indoors,  try  to  have  the 
air  w«  breathe  as  near  like  the  outdoor  atmosphere  as 
possible.  Do  we  realize  the  great  value  of  being  able 
fully  to  enjoy  both  play  and  work?  Do  we  know  the 
deep  pleasure  of  always  being  and  looking  our  best? 
If  so,  we  shall  in  the  future  let  pure  air  have  the  best 
possible  opportunity  for  helping  our  bodies  attain 
their  greatest  strength  and  beauty. 


CHAPTER   XVI 

BREATHING   HABITS 

To  breathe  was  the  first  thing  each  of  us  did  on 
coming  into  the  world,  and  we  have  kept  on  breathing 
ever  since.  Surely  this  is  one  thing  that  all  must  have 
done  exactly  right !  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  there  are 
different  ways  of  breathing,  some  of  which  are  much 
better  than  others.  It  is  also  true  that  if  any  person 
is  using  one  of  the  less  effective  methods,  he  can  without 
doubt  become  healthier  and  stronger,  both  physically 
and  mentally,  by  forming  a  better  habit.  Before 
considering  the  different  ways  of  breathing,  it  will  be 
well  to  notice  the  position  of  the  lungs  in  the  House 
that  Jack  Has.  We  want  also  to  observe  how  well  they 
are  protected  and  how  skillful  is  the  arrangement  by 
which  they  are  easily  supplied  with  the  health-giving 
air. 

On  page  144  is  shown  the  chest  cavity,  or  thorax, 
in  which  the  lungs  are  found.  We  notice  that  the 
thorax  is  a  cone-shaped  box  with  the  small  end  at  the 
top,  and  that  the  outside  of  this  box  is  formed  by 
the  ribs,  backbone,  or  spinal  column,  and  breast- 
bpne;  or  sternum.  The  twelve  pairs  of  ribs  are  joined 

143 


144        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


to  the  backbone,  but  only  the  upper  seven  are  joined 
to  the  sternum.  The  first  seven  pairs  on  this  ac- 
count are  called  true  ribs.  The  eighth,  ninth,  and 
tenth  pairs  are  joined  each  to  the  one  above  and  are 


i 


...10 

n  i/w 

V  U II 

The  Thorax,  showing  Lungs  and  Heart. 

called  false  ribs.  The  eleventh  and  twelfth  are  not 
fastened  at  all  in  front,  and  hence  are  named  floating 
ribs. 

On  page  145  is  shown  the  position  of  the  strong 
muscle  called  the  diaphragm.  The  latter  separates  the 
chest  from  the  abdomen.  A  semielastic  substance 


BREATHING  HABITS 


145 


called  cartilage  lies  between  the  ends  of  the  ribs  and 
the  backbone  and  between  each  false  rib  and  the  one 
above  it.  Between  the  ribs  are  the  intercostal 
muscles.  We  can  also  observe  that  the  ribs  slope 
slightly  downward  from  the  backbone  to  the  point 
where  they  are  attached  in 
front,  and  that  the  dia- 
phragm, which  is  a  very 
elastic  muscle,  is  somewhat 
the  shape  of  an  open  um- 
brella. Its  top  or  convex 
side  is  toward  the  chest, 
reaching  upward  to  about 
the  fifth  rib,  and  its  under 

Or     concave     Side    is     toward    Showing     positions    of     the     dia- 
phragm,  sternum,   and   walls  of 

the  abdomen.  the  abdomen  in  inspiration  and 

^  ,         .        .          expiration   (Zuppke). 

Curiously    enough,    it    is 

the  sloping  position  of  these  ribs  and  the  umbrella 
shape  of  the  elastic  diaphragm  that  enable  our  bodies 
to  be  easily  supplied  with  air.  The  position  of  the 
ribs  and  diaphragm,  as  seen  in  the  cut,  is  as  they 
appear  just  after  the  air  is  breathed  out.  When  we 
breathe  in,  the  intercostal  muscles  draw  the  front  of 
the  ribs  upward  and  the  diaphragm  goes  downward, 
becoming  less  convex.  This  pushes  the  lower  ribs 
outward  and  crowds  the  abdominal  organs  down,  both 
movements  naturally  enlarging  the  chest  cavity,  thus 
enabling  the  elastic  lungs  to  expand,  so  that  air  rushes 
in  to  fill  the  space. 


146        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

Now,  as  to  the  different  kinds  of  breathing,  all  will 
agree  that  the  one  which  causes  us  to  take  in  the  great- 
est amount  of  air  with  the  least  possible  effort  must  be 
the  best.  Of  the  common  habits,  the  one  known  as 
"high  chest  breathing"  is  the  poorest.  This  is  done 
by  raising  the  collar-bone  and  shoulders  in  such  a  way 
as  to  elevate  the  upper  ribs.  This  method  is  bad,  be- 
cause it  calls  for  too  difficult  exertion  and  fills  only  the 
upper  and  smaller  part  of  the  lungs.  People  who  have 
this  habit  are  compelled  to  breathe  very  frequently 
to  supply  the  air  the  body  must  have  to  keep  in  good 
health.  The  unused  parts  naturally  become  subject  to 
disease,  and  shortened  life  results. 

"  Costal  breathing"  is  the  term  applied  when  the  chest 
cavity  is  enlarged  by  raising  the  ribs  with  the  inter- 
costal muscles.  When  the  space  for  the  lungs  to  ex- 
pand is  made  by  pushing  the  apex  of  the  diaphragm 
downward,  the  breathing  is  said  to  be  diaphragmatic. 
This  is,  no  doubt,  the  easiest  and  best  of  these  methods. 
It  is,  however,  far  better  to  get  into  the  habit  of  forcing 
the  diaphragm  downwards  and  using  the  intercostal 
muscles  at  the  same  time.  When  the  diaphragm 
alone  is  used,  the  upper  parts  of  the  lungs  are  not  filled 
with  air,  and,  on  this  account,  may  more  readily  become 
diseased. 

When  the  diaphragm  goes  down  so  that  we  feel  a 
good  strong  pressure  on  the  organs  of  the  abdomen, 
and  the  intercostal  muscles  move  sufficiently  to  make 
plain  the  fact  that  new  air  is  refreshing  the  upper  regions 


BREATHING  HABITS  147 

of  the  lungs,  we  may  feel  well  satisfied  with  our  habit  of 
breathing.  Such  a  method  is  most  excellent,  not  only 
on  account  of  the  ease  with  which  a  large  amount  of  air 
is  furnished  to  the  lungs,  but  also  because  the  downward 
pressure  aids  the  muscles  of  the  food  canal  in  perform- 
ing their  work  and  stimulates  the  circulation  of  blood 
throughout  all  organs  of  the  abdomen. 

There  is  no  greater  health  talisman  than  the  rhyth- 
mic downward  and  upward  movement  of  the  dia- 
phragm in  our  ordinary  breathing.  If  we  can  feel 
the  alternate  crowding  down  and  return  to  position  of 
our  abdominal  organs  along  with  this  movement  of  the 
diaphragm,  our  breathing  habit  is  correct.  We  may 
also  be  sure  that  we  are  filling  our  lungs  and  keeping  the 
surface  of  the  air-cells  active  and  healthy.  If,  as  we 
breathe,  we  cannot  feel  this  regular  rhythmic  move- 
ment of  the  diaphragm  and  abdominal  organs,  we  are 
not  filling  our  lungs,  nor  are  we  furnishing  our  bodies 
with  the  greatest  possible  supply  of  air  with  the  least 
possible  effort.  Children  are  born  with  this  rhythmic 
breathing  habit.  They  grow  out  of  it  largely  through 
getting  into  bad  sitting  and  standing  positions,  and 
through  wearing  clothing  which  is  tight  about  the  waist 
and  abdomen.  The  foolishness  of  wearing  such  cloth- 
ing can  now  be  easily  seen.  It  crowds  the  important 
organs  of  the  abdomen  and  prevents  the  breathing 
muscles  from  doing  their  best  work.  Such  clothing 
also  keeps  the  digestive  organs  from  getting  the  assist- 
ance that  the  full  downward  pressure  of  the  diaphragm 


148        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

on  the  abdomen  would  naturally  give  them.  While 
children's  clothing  is  usually  loose  about  the  waist,  it 
is  often  too  tight  about  the  upper  portion  of  the  chest. 
This  is  very  harmful,  and  great  care  should  be  taken  to 
prevent  it. 

Boys  and  girls  are  taught  many  useful  things. 
Nevertheless,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  if  teachers  and  par- 
ents regarded  the  habit  of  deep  diaphragmatic  breath- 
ing as  the  most  important  lesson  for  children  to  learn 
and  were  watchful  that  neither  improper  position  nor 
tight  clothing  should  deprive  them  of  this  great 
boon,  health  and  happiness  would  be  far  more  com- 
mon. Much  is  made  at  home  of  the  hundred  per  cent 
and  other  excellent  marks  in  their  studies  that  chil- 
dren's school  report  cards  show.  If  this  card  also 
recorded  gain  or  loss  in  sitting  or  standing  position,  or 
in  rhythmic  diaphragmatic  breathing,  and  even  half 
as  much  attention  were  given  to  this  information  at 
home  as  is  given  to  the  standing  in  studies,  what  an 
excellent  effect  it  might  have  on  children's  future 
enjoyment  and  usefulness. 

For  children  just  starting  life's  battle,  it  is  most 
important  to  form  the  very  best  breathing  habits. 
Furnishing  abundance  of  fresh  air  to  our  bodies  will  be 
of  the  greatest  help  in  producing  pure  blood,  good 
digestion,  health,  strength,  and  all  the  happiness  that  the 
possession  of  these  good  things  bring.  Much  is  said 
in  books  and  health  circulars  about  guarding  against 
disease  germs.  It  is,  indeed,  wise  to  take  such  pre- 


BREATHING  HABITS  149 

cautions.  But  by  far  the  best  preventive  against  all 
diseases  is  the  deep-breathing  habit.  In  spite  of 
our  greatest  care,  disease  germs  may  be  in  the  air 
we  breathe.  Healthy  tissues  and  bodily  vigor  are  the 
best  armor  against  harm  from  these  germs.  The 
largest  possible  supply  of  pure  air  in  our  regular  breath- 
ing is  the  best  aid  to  health  and  vigor. 

The  following  statements  are  taken  from  an  article 
on  deep  breathing  in  the  New  York  Medical  Journal 
of  September  8,  1906.  The  article  is  by  Dr.  John  H. 
Pryor  of  Buffalo,  who  was  the  first  superintendent  of 
the  New  York  State  Hospital  for  Incipient  Tuber- 
culosis, and  who,  for  many  years,  has  had  wide  ex- 
perience in  treating  diseases  of  the  breathing  organs. 
"  Very  frequently  breathing  becomes  a  partial  or  incom- 
plete function  after  childhood.  Enough  air  is  admitted 
to  the  lungs  to  support  life  in  a  sedentary  way,  but 
thorough  ventilation  becomes  a  rare  experience.  .  .  . 
Many  women  have  never  learned  how  to  breathe,  and 
the  man  who  has  given  up  vigorous  exercise  seldom  fills 
his  lungs  to  their  full  capacity.  .  .  .  The  average  chest 
expansion  of  all  patients  when  they  entered  the  New 
York  State  Hospital  for  Incipient  Tuberculosis  was 
two  inches,  and  the  breathing  capacity  was  almost 
invariably  below  the  standard  usually  required.  The 
almost  universal  testimony  of  the  patients  was  that  they 
had  never  been  taught  to  breathe." 

Are  we  filling  just  the  small  upper  part  of  our  lungs 
by  laborious  chest  breathing?  Are  we  getting  only 


150        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

one-half  or  two-thirds  of  the  pure  air  we  might  have, 
because  our  habit  of  supplying  our  lungs  is  to  give  only 
a  slight  downward  pressure  to  the  diaphragm,  or  a 
little  raising  of  the  ribs  by  the  intercostal  muscles? 
Then  we  have  surely  been  deprived  of  our  rightful 
share  of  air  long  enough,  and  in  a  business-like  way  we 
should  set  about  getting  the  largest  supply  with  the 
least  cost  of  effort.  "  But  how  can  we  do  this?  "  some 
may  ask.  "  Isn't  breathing  one  of  the  habits  born  with 
us  that  our  wills  cannot  regulate?''  Certainly  not! 
Girls  and  boys  can  form  correct  breathing  habits  if 
they  persevere  in  trying  to  do  so,  and  mature  people 
can  greatly  improve  theirs.  But  before  we  consider 
how  this  may  be  done,  let  us  first  give  attention  to  one 
more  essential  breathing  habit, —  the  importance  of 
taking  air  through  the  nose. 

The  long  narrow  passages  of  the  nose  were  designed 
both  to  strain  and  to  warm  the  air.  The  dust  particles 
not  stopped  by  the  numerous  little  hairs  near  the  open- 
ing of  the  nose  are  arrested  by  the  moist  mucous 
membrane  of  the  passages  and  expelled  with  its  se- 
cretion, whenever  the  use  of  the  handkerchief  is  re- 
quired. This  membrane  also  arrests  germs,  and  it  is 
likewise  thought  that  its  secretion  tends  to  render  them 
harmless.  That  one  can  endure  breathing  impure  air 
through  the  nose  much  longer  than  through  the  mouth 
is  a  well-established  fact.  When  people  have  been  in 
the  presence  of  some  deadly  fumes,  those  who  breathed 
through  the  mouth  were  fatally  injured,  while  others, 


BREATHING  HABITS  151 

who  made  use  only  of  the  nostrils,  escaped  with  com- 
paratively little  harm.  The  nose  certainly  can  make 
poison-laden  air  less  harmful,  and  the  very  best  air  is 
better  fitted  for  its  work  after  passing  through  these 
useful  passages. 

The  inside  of  the  nose  having  the  normal  tempera- 
ture of  the  body,  ninety-eight  and  six-tenths  degrees, 
properly  warms  the  cold  air  in  its  journey  to  the  deli- 
cate lung  tissue.  The  mucous  lining  of  the  nose  may 
also  take  up  some  vapor  from  air  that  is  too  moist. 
How  skillfully  the  nose  is  constructed  to  be  the  highway 
of  the  air  to  the  trachea  and  lungs,  and  how  strange  it 
is  that  so  many  people  neglect  to  make  use  of  this 
air-warming  and  cleaning  contrivance  of  nature ! 
Why  is  it  not  just  as  well  to  breathe  through  the 
mouth?  Because  the  air  goes  in  so  rapidly  that  it  is 
neither  properly  warmed  nor  freed  from  dust.  Con- 
sequently irritation  of  the  mucous  membrane  and  other 
difficulties  of  the  bronchial  tubes  result. 

That  the  shape,  size,  and  extent  of  the  nose  passages 
design  them  for  properly  preparing  the  air  we  breathe 
for  the  lungs,  is  just  as  evident  as  that  the  teeth  were 
placed  in  the  mouth  to  prepare  the  food  we  eat  for  the 
stomach.  How  ridiculous  it  would  seem  to  see  any  one 
snuffing  up  food  through  his  nose  !  Yet,  except  at  times 
of  most  violent  exertion,  when  enough  air  cannot  reach 
the  lungs  through  the  nose  channel,  the  mouth  was  no 
more  intended  as  an  air  passage  than  the  nose  was  de- 
signed as  a  passageway  for  food. 


152        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

But  surely  it  cannot  be  harmful  to  breathe  through 
the  mouth  when  the  air  is  not  cold  and  we  cannot  see 
any  dust  in  it.  On  the  contrary,  such  a  practice  can 
do  much  harm.  In  the  first  place,  although  the  air 
looks  clean,  it  is  scarcely  ever  free  from  dust.  In  the 
second  place,  the  slight  amount  of  resistance  offered 
while  breathing  through  the  nose  helps  to  keep  the 
chest  properly  developed,  while  in  mouth  breathers  the 
air  gets  in  so  easily  that  the  chest  muscles  have  little 
to  do  and  flat  chests  consequently  result.  Then,  even 
if  no  injury  should  result  from  putting  the  mouth  to  a 
use  for  which  it  was  not  intended,  harm  is  likely  to 
come  from  not  using  the  nose  as  the  highway  for  which 
it  was  made.  We  know  that  when  a  path  or  road 
remains  unused,  grass  and  weeds  will  grow  up  in  it. 
So  when  the  natural  roadways  of  the  air  to  the  trachea, 
the  nose  passages,  are  not  made  use  of,  weeds  in  the 
form  of  polypi  and  other  growths  may  spring  up  in  the 
mucous  membrane.  These  block  the  unused  passages, 
and,  in  the  worst  cases,  even  cause  deafness. 

Growths  called  adenoids  are  very  common  in  chil- 
dren. They  plug  both  nostrils,  causing  all  the  evils 
of  mouth  breathing  and  often  greatly  lowering  the 
general  health.  If  large  enough  to  be  obstructive, 
they  should  be  removed  by  a  physician,  for  no  child 
having  them  can  thrive.  Adenoids  are  among  the 
most  common  causes  of  mouth  breathing. 

The  mouth-breathing  habit,  whether  it  results  from 
adenoids  or  some  other  cause,  not  only  may  weaken 


BREATHING  HABITS  153 

the  senses  of  hearing  and  smelling,  but  also  often  causes 
foul  breath  and  impairs  the  beauty  of  the  countenance 
by  giving  the  mouth  and  teeth  a  distorted  appearance. 
Many  persons  seen  in  classrooms  or  audiences  with 
mouth  open  and  an  unbecoming,  half-vacant  stare  are 
naturally  neither  less  intelligent  nor  less  pleasing  than 
others;  unfortunately  they  are  deformed  both  in  un- 
derstanding and  in  appearance  by  the  habit  of  mouth 
breathing.  Inability  to  use  the  nose  necessarily  causes 
the  mouth  to  be  held  open.  The  deafness  resulting 
from  the  adenoids  or  other  causes  naturally  makes 
them  unable  to  understand  readily.  Such  persons  are 
often  given  up  as  hopelessly  stupid  and  uninteresting, 
when  they  might  become  active  in  mind  and  pleasing 
in  appearance. 

How  can  such  a  desirable  transformation  be  brought 
about?  By  having  a  skillful  doctor  remove  the  ade- 
noids or  other  obstruction  and  by  seeing  to  it  thereafter 
that  the  air  is  taken  in  through  its  proper  channel. 
Even  if  it  happen  that  only  one  of  the  passages  is 
stopped  up,  the  obstruction  should  be  removed  with- 
out delay,  for  none  of  us  can  afford  to  be  without  our 
full  equipment  for  obtaining  pure  air. 

The  stoppage  of  one  nostril  often  exists  for  a  long 
time  without  a  person's  being  aware  of  the  fact.  On 
this  account,  it  is  a  good  plan  occasionally  to  test  the 
nose  passages  by  holding  one  nostril  closed  for  a  mo- 
ment and  compelling  the  breath  to  pass  through  the 
other.  When  either  passage  is  found  not  to  be  fully 


154        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

open,  and  no  cold  or  other  irritation  exists,  a  doctor 
should  be  consulted  without  delay. 

Of  course,  after  the  nose  passages  are  opened,  it  is 
not  easy  to  break  the  mouth-breathing  habit,  but  it 
can  be  done  by  any  one  who  is  in  earnest.  The  main 
thing  is  to  become  fully  impressed  with  the  importance 
of  nose  breathing.  In  daytime  one  can  usually  think 
to  correct  himself  if  the  old  habit  comes  back.  If  the 
resolution  to  keep  the  mouth  closed  while  sleeping  is 
firmly  willed,  just  before  retiring,  and  this  determina- 
tion is  persevered  in  night  after  night,  the  correct  habit 
will  soon  be  formed.  When  one  does  not  succeed  with 
this  plan,  the  mouth  may  be  closed  with  a  bandage 
at  night  until  the  habit  of  nose  breathing  becomes 
established. 

But  what  can  a  person  do  when  the  nose  is  stopped 
up  by  a  cold  in  the  head  ?  Simply  persist,  even  though 
it  be  with  much  difficulty,  in  breathing  through  the 
nose.  By  and  by  the  pure  air  will  not  only  clear  a 
route  for  itself,  but  also  greatly  aid  in  getting  rid  of  the 
cold  as  well.  How  is  it  in  running  and  other  violent 
exercise  or  work?  Surely  the  larger  supply  of  air 
coming  more  quickly  through  the  mouth  will  enable 
the  muscles  to  work  faster  and  better.  While  in 
extremely  violent  exercise  an  occasional  breath  through 
the  mouth  may  be  necessary,  taking  the  main  supply 
through  the  nose  is  far  better.  For  example,  in  run- 
ning one  may  seem  to  be  getting  out  of  breath  for  a 
time,  but  if  nose  breathing  is  persisted  in,  the  runner 


BREATHING  HABITS  155 

soon  gets  what  is  called  his  "  second  wind."  On  the 
contrary,  the  mouth  breather,  who  may  have  seemed 
stronger  at  first,  quickly  gets  out  of  breath  and  has  to 
stop. 

There  are  two  reasons  for  this.  The  first,  of  course, 
is  that  the  air  which  reaches  the  lungs  of  the  nose 
breather  is  better  fitted  for  its  work.  The  second, 
that  when  air  comes  in  through  the  small  orifices  of  the 
nose  the  period  of  inspiration  is  longer,  and  the  heart 
can  perform  its  work  more  easily  than  when  the  larger 
and  more  direct  route  of  the  mouth  is  used. 

Do  we  want  to  avoid  the  misfortune  of  distorted 
faces?  Is  it  our  desire  to  understand  as  well  as  our 
natural  gifts  permit?  Do  we  wish  to  be  as  free  as 
possible  from  troublesome  and  dangerous  diseases? 
Would  we  be  able  to  do  our  best  in  athletic  games 
and  in  vigorous  work?  Then  we  must  fix  the  habit 
of  nose  breathing  as  one  of  our  most  precious  rights. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  mouth  breathers  are 
much  more  likely  to  have  croup,  enlargement  of  the 
tonsils,  catarrh,  bronchitis,  pneumonia,  consumption, 
and  other  diseases  than  are  those  who  breathe  through 
the  nose.  On  this  account,  the  right  habit  cannot  be 
started  too  early. 

Snoring  is  one  of  the  common  signs  of  mouth  breath- 
ing. It  is  usual  to  regard  snoring  without  particu- 
lar concern.  If  referred  to  at  all  by  other  members 
of  the  family,  it  is  likely  to  be  in  a  joking  manner. 
How  much  wiser  and  kinder  it  would  be,  if,  instead 


156        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

of  joking,  we  should  earnestly  impress  the  snorer  with 
the  importance  of  getting  rid  of  the  habit !  Fixing  the 
habit  of  nose  breathing  will  stop  the  snoring  and  also 
result  both  in  better  rest  and  in  generally  improved 
health. 

The  atmosphere  of  houses  heated  by  furnaces  or 
stoves  in  winter  is  not  favorable  to  a  healthy  nose,  un- 
less care  is  taken  to  provide  the  air  with  sufficient 
moisture.  Such  air  takes  up  too  much  of  the  secretions 
from  the  lining  of  the  nose  passages,  and  so  the  dust 
of  the  air  breathed  in  is  not  stopped.  On  this  account, 
the  mucous  lining  becomes  irritated.  Crusts  are  formed 
which  are  likely  to  crack  and  be  torn  off,  injuring  the 
tissues  underneath  and  paving  the  way  for  germs.  As 
such  crust  often  itches,  children  scratch  or  pull  it  off. 
This  should  not  be  done,  for  germs  are  ever  ready 
to  attack  such  delicate,  unprotected  places,  a  longer 
period  of  soreness  and  discomfort  being  the  natural 
result.  When  the  nose  passages  feel  dry,  it  is  an  ex- 
cellent plan  to  inject  a  plentiful  amount  of  saturated 
solution  of  boracic  acid  with  an  atomizer.  This  relieves 
the  dry,  irritated  condition,  and  helps  to  remove  the 
dust.  Both  the  atomizer  and  the  boracic  acid  solution 
are  inexpensive. 

A  healthy  nose  can  take  care  of  a  normal  amount  of 
dust.  However,  where  one's  employment  is  such  that 
an  unusually  large  quantity  of  dust  is  in  the  atmos- 
phere breathed,  a  respirator  to  strain  the  air  should 
be  worn.  This  is  especially  necessary  in  such  work  as 


BREATHING   HABITS  157 

grinding  or  polishing  steel  or  stone,  in  which  dust  par- 
ticles continually  fill  the  air  surrounding  the  workers. 
Many  persons,  too  careless  or  too  proud  to  wear  such 
protectors,  either  have  been  obliged  to  give  up  the 
dangerous  employment  or  have  become  the  victims  of 
lung  disease.  Respirators,  by  keeping  out  much  of 
the  dust,  make  the  employment  less  harmful. 


CHAPTER  XVII 


HOW   EXERCISE    MAY    IMPROVE    JACK'S    HOUSE 

BUT  what  about  forming  the  habit  of  rhythmic  deep 
breathing?  Suppose  we  are  breathing  through  the 
nose  and  also  keeping  our  mouths  shut  except  when 
talking  and  eating,  what  is  the  next 
step?  Our  aim  is  to  take  into  our 
bodies  the  largest  possible  amount  of 
air  with  the  least  possible  effort.  We 
know  that  the  larger  the  chest  cavity 
is  made,  the  greater  the  expansion 
of  the  lungs  will  be,  and  hence  the 
larger  the  amount  of  air  that  will 
rush  in  to  fill  the  space.  We  have 
already  learned  that  the  greatest  en- 
largement of  the  chest  cavity  is  made 
by  simultaneous  movements  of  the 
diaphragm  and  the  intercostal  mus- 

ol  £*Q 

Improper     position; 

causes  spine  to  curve       NOw  in  order  to  get  the  best   and 

to  side ;  raises  one  hip  _        , 

and  shoulder   above  DttOst    natural    movement     ol    these 
the  other.  muscles,  the  spine  must  be  in  an  erect 

position  with  the   shoulders  well  back,  the    chest  in- 
clined outward,  and  the  abdomen  inward.      The  head 

158 


EXERCISE  159 

should  also  be  well  poised,  being  held  neither  forward 
nor  backward  far  enough  to  get  the  body  out  of  balance. 
Such  is  the  position  natural  to  people  who  are  reared 
in  an  out-of-door  life.  The  American  Indian,  for  in- 
stance, was  noted  for  -his  erect  body, 
well-developed  chest,  and  breathing  or- 
gans. It  is  the  unnatural,  overheated, 
indoor  life  of  civilized  men  that  has  led 
to  ungraceful  and  injurious  positions  and 
poor  breathing  habits. 

Some  persons  get  into  the  habit  of 
bending  the  spine  too  far  back  and  carry- 
ing the  abdomen  much  too  far  forward. 
This  position  they  imagine  is  good,  be- 
cause they  are  conscious  of  not  stooping. 
However,  such  a  manner  of  carrying  the 
body  is  not  graceful,  nor  is  it  healthful, 
because  it  makes  the  best  diaphragma- 
tic breathing  impossible.  Carrying  the  Best  habitual  po- 
sition; chest  is 

chest  outward  and  the  abdomen  inward  free  to  expand, 
is  the  right  position,  and  we  must  not  be  e  a  si  T^ shifted 
satisfied  until  this  is  our  habit.  A  pro-  fr<>m  one  foot 
truding  abdomen  and  receding  chest  are 
usually  signs  of  weak  breathing  organs.  Often  care- 
lessness as  to  how  we  sit  and  stand  is  the  first  step 
toward  weakening  our  lungs ;  while  one  of  the  first 
steps  toward  strengthening  them  is  improving  our 
position  in  this  respect. 

Sitting  in  school  or  at  home  in  incorrect  positions, 


160        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 


Slipping  down  in  seat.    A  poor  position. 


as  are  two  of  these 
children,  is  one  of  the 
most  common  causes  of 
curved  spines  and  poor 
breathing.  The  boy  on 
page  163  has  lowered 
the  handles  of  his  bicy- 
cle, thinking  he  could 
ride  more  easily  and 
faster.  Such  a  stoop- 
ing position,  however, 
hinders  his  breathing 
muscles,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  ungainly  posture. 
Habitually  walking  or 
standing  in  such  posi- 
tion as  the  child  on 
page  158,  makes  the 
body  less  beautiful  and 
also  starts  poor  breath- 
ing habits. 

Notice  how  greatly 
the  weak  position  of  the 
children  on  pages  158, 
160,  162,  and  163  takes 
away  from  their  pleas- 
ing appearance,  and 
how  much  the  erect 
carriage  of  the  body 


EXERCISE 


161 


adds  to  the  good  looks  of  those  on  pages  159,  160, 
and  161.  Erectness  of  the  body  gives  an  impression 
of  strength  and  vigor ;  while  the  opposite  position  sug- 
gests weakness  and  lack  of  ambition.  How  fortunate 
it  is  that  good  health  and  good  looks  thus  go  hand 


An  adjustable  seat  and  desk  as  used  for  writing.    From  Dr.  Mosher's  "  Hygi- 
enic Desks  for  School  Children,"  Educational  Review. 
Same  seat  and  desk  as  used  for  reading. 

in  hand,  and  that,  in  striving  for  the  former,  we  may 
gain  both  !  Careful  watching  and  persevering  will  re- 
sult in  the  habit  of  correct  position.  Such  reward  is 
certainly  worth  our  best  efforts. 

But  if  the  habits  of  stooping,  sliding  down  in  our 
seats,  allowing  the  chest  to  sink  in  and  the  abdomen 
to  protrude,  have  already  been  formed,  can  they  be 
broken  ?  The  same  rule  applies  here  as  in  the  break- 


162       THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


ing  of  other  unwise  bodily  habits.  If  we  become 
sufficiently  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  making  the 
change  to  persevere  in  trying  to  improve,  the  erect 
position  will  become  just  as  easy  and  natural  as  was 

the  weak  one.     It   is 

most  important  to  form 
the  habit  of  erect  po- 
sition early  in  life,  be- 
cause the  bones  are 
then  comparatively 
flexible  and  readily 
adapt  themselves  to  a 
change.  As  we  grow 
older,  they  gradually 
become  harder  and 
more  brittle,  making 
a  change  of  position 
more  difficult.  It  is  a 
well-known  fact  that 
our  bones  break  more 
This,  of  course,  is  because 


An  incorrect  sitting  position. 


readily  as  we  grow  older, 
they  become  more  brittle. 

We  have  all  seen  advertisements  in  newspapers 
showing  a  remarkable  contrast  in  the  appearance  of 
people  before  and  after  taking  some  patent  medicine. 
If  children  could  look  forward  into  the  future  and  see 
what  a  fine  appearance  they  would  make  as  erect, 
strong,  and  healthy  men  and  women,  or  how  much 
less  pleasing  they  would  be  as  awkwardly  formed  and 


EXERCISE 


163 


perhaps  weak  or  sickly,  the  advice  to  " straighten  up" 
would  certainly  be  given  more  heed. 

Granted  now  that  we  have  succeeded  in  forming  the 
best  position  and  breathing  habits,  what  is  the  next 
step  in  making 
our  respiratory 
organs  furnish  us 
the  largest  pos- 
sible supply  of 
air  ?  In  the  first 
place,  we  must 
not  be  satisfied 
until  we  are 
conscious  that 
rhythmic  move- 
ment of  the  ab- 
dominal organs 

,  . ,  An  incorrect  position  for  riding  a  bicycle. 

as  we  breathe  is 

our  established  habit.  Many  give  much  attention 
to  expansion  of  the  chest.  If  the  crowding  downward 
of  the  abdominal  organs  is  secured  while  breathing, 
the  best  enlargement  of  the  chest  is  sure  to  follow. 
Then  practising  such  exercises  as  will  best  develop  the 
elasticity  of  the  breathing  muscles  is  the  most  impor- 
tant thing.  The  diaphragm,  the  intercostal  muscles, 
the  cartilage,  the  lung  tissue,  are  all  elastic  and  should 
be  given  abundant  opportunity  to  grow  stronger 
through  use.  The  country  boy  helps  in  this  develop- 
ment by  chopping  wood,  pitching  hay,  and  other  daily 


164        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

chores.  All  children  may  develop  these  important 
muscles  through  running,  skating,  climbing,  and  the 
various  active  games  that  are  so  enjoyable.  Singing 
or  playing  a  flute,  horn,  or  other  wind  instrument  is 
also  excellent,  if  the  breath  is  taken  through  the  nose. 

But  even  with  plenty  of  such  exercises,  practice 
in  deep  breathing  is  of  great  benefit.  The  following 
exercises  are  especially  good :  Standing  erect  with 
hands  on  the  waist,  take  in  long  deep  breaths  through 
the  nose,  and  let  them  out  slowly  through  either  the 
mouth  or  the  nose.  Take  in  the  breath  in  the  same 
manner,  but  let  it  out  gradually  in  many  short  succes- 
sive puffs  through  the  smallest  opening  in  the  mouth. 
While  walking,  take  in  long  full  breaths  through  the 
nose,  and  exhale  slowly  through  the  smallest  possible 
opening  of  the  mouth  or  through  one  nostril  while 
the  other  is  closed.  It  is  well  to  avoid  the  practice 
of  holding  the  chest  long  distended,  for  it  makes 
extra  hard  work  for  the  heart.  Exercises  similar  to 
all  of  the  above  may  also  be  profitably  taken  when 
lying  flat  on  the  back  or  sitting  erect  in  a  chair.  In 
any  of  the  positions  described,  variety  may  be  added 
and  both  singing  and  speaking  improved  by  using  the 
voice  with  scale  syllables  or  with  vowel  sounds. 

The  following  is  one  of  the  very  best  exercises  to  in- 
crease lung  power.  Stand  erect,  holding  arms  by  the 
sides.  With  palms  downward,  slowly  raise  hands  in 
front  and  as  high  as  you  can  above  the  head,  rising  on 
tiptoe  so  as  to  take  in  just  as  much  air  as  possible. 


EXERCISE  165 

Then  slowly  lower  hands  as  far  as  you  can  without 
bending  the  knees,  expelling  the  air  as  the  body  goes 
downward.  These  movements  compel  great  expan- 
sion of  the  lungs.  For  this  reason  the  exercise  is  very 
helpful  in  developing  breathing  power,  when  practised 
faithfully.  If  the  arms  are  forcibly  crossed  just  as  the 
body  reaches  its  lowest  point  in  this  movement,  com- 
plete expiration  is  greatly  assisted.  It  is  far  more 
necessary  for  most  people  to  practise  for  better  ex- 
piration than  for  improved  inspiration,  for  it  is  in  the 
former  that  breathing  is  usually  defective.  If  effective 
expiration  is  accomplished,  the  inspiration  of  air  will 
naturally  follow. 

All  exercises  should  be  taken  in  pure  air  and,  when 
it  is  feasible,  with  wide-open  windows.  One  should 
begin  moderately,  gradually  increasing  the  amount  as 
the  muscles  become  stronger  and  more  accustomed  to 
the  work.  It  is  most  surprising  how  rapidly  such 
exercises  will  develop  breathing  power.  Where  they 
are  kept  up  regularly,  even  once  a  day,  a  gain  of  several 
inches  in  chest  expansion  in  a  few  weeks  is  not  at  all 
uncommon.  Gain  in  expansion,  however,  is  not  al- 
ways due  to  increase  in  size  of  lungs  or  chest  walls,  but 
to  growth  in  muscle  or  to  pulling  the  abdominal  organs 
up  into  the  chest.  Care  should  be  taken  to  secure  the 
right  kind  of  development.  Otherwise  efforts  to  in- 
crease chest  expansion  may  be  easily  overdone. 

Each  inch  of  expansion  means  greater  capacity  for 
taking  into  our  bodies,  every  time  we  breathe,  this 


166        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

useful  air  with  all  the  benefits  it  can  bring.  The 
engine  that  propels  an  automobile  is  spoken  of  as  one, 
two,  three,  or  more,  horse-power,  according  to  its  pos- 
sible strength  and  speed.  Other  things  being  equal, 
our  power  to  play,  to  do,  and  to  enjoy,  can  be  estimated 
by  the  quantity  of  purifying  air  with  which  we  supply 
our  bodies.  Shall  it  be  only  one  horse-power,  when 
by  care  and  practice  we  can  readily  make  it  more? 
Such  low  power  in  an  automobile  would  not  satisfy 
us,  if  we  could  honestly  obtain  one  of  higher  power. 
What  foolish  body  builders  we  should  be  to  estimate 
our  own  gain  in  power  so  lightly. 

Do  we  wish  to  equip  our  bodies  with  their  greatest 
possible  air  power  ?  The  prescription  is  easy  to  remem- 
ber. Fully  appreciate  the  power  to  be  gained.  In- 
telligently set  about  gaining  it.  Keep  striving  for  it 
unceasingly.  Even  ten  deep  breaths  every  night  and 
morning  will  cause  remarkable  progress.  A  deep- 
breathing  exercise  at  odd  times  during  the  day,  when 
walking,  is  good.  The  same  exercise  upon  going  into 
the  out-of-door  air  for  a  few  moments'  change  after 
long-continued  work  or  study  indoors,  will  always  be 
refreshing  and  beneficial.  Above  all  we  must  not  be 
satisfied  until  rhythmic  deep  breathing  is  our  regular 
habit. 

Breathing  out  all  the  air  we  can,  immediately  after 
leaving  a  close  street  car,  a  theater,  or  other  crowded 
room,  and  then  refreshing  the  lungs  with  several  long 
deep  breaths  of  pure  air  is  also  a  good  practice. 


EXERCISE  167 

Upon  discovering  that  unclean  food  has  been  taken  into 
our  mouths,  how  quickly  we  eject  it !  We  know  that 
the  atmosphere  of  crowded  rooms  must  be  more  or  less 
unclean  and  poisonous.  Certainly,  then,  we  should 
quickly  expel  all  we  can  of  the  foul  air  that  may  be 
retained,  and  eagerly  refresh  the  lungs  with  extra 
quantities  of  pure  air. 

Breathing  exercises  are  not  usually  necessary  for 
adults  engaged  in  hard  physical  labor,  especially  if 
their  employment  be  out-of-doors.  However,  those 
whose  work  is  largely  mental,  or  persons  who  are  weak 
or  not  well  developed,  can  improve  greatly  by  prac- 
tising them.  Growing  children  can,  by  such  practice, 
store  up  capital  in  the  form  of  healthy,  capacious 
breathing  organs  that  will  furnish  them  a  most 
bountiful  supply  of  life's  very  best  form  of  wealth, 
good  health.  But  some  children  may  say,  "I  am 
growing  stronger  and  broader  chested  as  the  years 
go  by,  and  my  general  health  is  excellent  without 
giving  these  matters  any  particular  attention."  Some 
are  fortunate  enough  to  have  such  good  bodies,  and 
while  deep-breathing  exercises  might  make  them  even 
stronger  and  healthier,  there  may  be  no  great  need  of 
care  and  practice  for  them. 

For  children  who  are  naturally  delicate,  however, 
training  in  regard  to  position  and  exercises  for  the 
development  of  the  breathing  and  other  muscles  is  a 
most  valuable  part  of  education  too  often  neglected. 
Small  chests,  flat  chests,  and  even  deformity  due  to 


168        THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


rickets,  a  disease  which  is  more  common  than  is  sup- 
posed, may  be  remedied  by  deep  breathing.  How 
encouraging  it  is  for  weak,  sickly  children  to  know  that 
with  plenty  of  nourishing  food  and  abundant  exercise 

out  of  doors,  they  may 
grow  to  be  healthy  and 
vigorous.  What  a  sat- 
isfaction is  the  knowl- 
edge that  many  of  the 
world's  most  useful  men 
were  children  from 
whom  little  was  ex- 
pected because  of  poor 
health,  but  who,  by 
careful  living  and  by 
persevering  in  out-of- 
door  exercise,  developed 
into  vigorous  manhood. 
One  of  the  most  notable 
of  such  examples  is  that 
of  our  energetic  and 
distinguished  President, 

Theodore  Roosevelt.  Though  fond  of  active  games  in 
childhood,  he  could  not  play  as  vigorously  as  did  many 
of  his  companions,  because  of  lack  of  strength.  Realiz- 
ing that  much  of  the  enjoyment  in  life  was  derived 
from  being  able  both  to  work  and  to  play  one's  best, 
he  determined  to  make  himself  strong  and  vigorous. 
With  this  purpose,  he  gave  much  time  to  out-of-door 


Theodore  Roosevelt. 


EXERCISE  165 

games  and  sports.  Even  after  completing  his  college 
course,  he  spent  many  months  on  a  Western  ranch, 
where  a  large  part  of  the  day  was  passed  in  the  saddle. 

"  What  a  waste  of  valuable  months  for  a  college 
graduate!77  one  might  say  at  first  thought.  But  let 
us  see  what  kind  of  an  investment  it  was.  Persistence 
in  out-of-door  games  during  school  and  college  life 
laid  the  foundation  for  good  health,  while  the  ranching 
experience  developed  iron  muscles  and  a  vigorous 
constitution.  As  Assemblyman,  Police  Commissioner 
of  New  York  City,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Colonel  of  the  Rough  Riders,  Governor  of  New  York 
State,  Vice-President  and  President  of  the  United 
States,  this  rugged  health  has  been  most  useful 
capital.  The  hardships  of  war  in  the  tropics,  the 
strenuous  exertions  of  speech-making  tours,  the  vast 
responsibilities  of  the  presidency,  have  all  been  under- 
taken without  shrinking  and  performed  with  preemi- 
nent success.  No  task  has  been  too  irksome,  no 
undertaking  too  vast,  for  his  buoyant  mental  and 
physical  life. 

What  has  given  him  this  great  capability  for  suc- 
cessful achievement?  No  doubt  the  college  training 
has  been  of  great  value,  but  the  underlying  foundation 
was  the  physical  and  mental  reserve  power  stored  up 
during  the  years  of  devotion  to  active,  out-of-door 
life.  Another  valuable  lesson  that  the  life  of  our 
universally  beloved  President  teaches  is  that  of  the 
benefit  derived  from  regularly  keeping  up  out-of-door 


170        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 


exercise.  It  is  said  that  this  is  the  one  thing  he  will 
not  omit.  How  often  have  we  read  of  the  daily 
horseback  rides,  the  tennis  and  boxing  matches,  the 
long  cross-country  walks  !  These  and  occasional  hunt- 
ing trips  have  preserved  vigorous  health  and  enabled 
him  fully  to  enjoy  the  arduous  duties  of  his  various 
offices  and  to  keep  in  touch  with  many  other  important 
interests  besides. 

The  famous  author,  Sir  Walter  Scott,  is  another 
well-known  example  of  the  beneficial  effects  of  out-of- 
door  life.  On  account  of  extremely  delicate  health, 

a  large  part  of  his  child- 
hood was  spent  in  the  out- 
of-door  country  air,  where 
he  developed  a  deep  fond- 
ness for  walking  and  riding 
through  the  beautiful  high- 
land regions  of  Scotland. 
Although  lame  from  baby- 
hood, the  early  years  in  the 
open  air  helped  him  to  build 
such  a  vigorous  body  that 
in  school  he  was  noted  for 
activity  and  endurance. 
During  the  first  thirty  years 

of  manhood,  his  literary  labors  were  prodigious,  the 
English  reading  world  being  delighted  with  story 
after  story  from  his  pen.  Nevertheless,  his  health  did 
not  suffer,  because  of  the  rugged  constitution  with 


Sir  Walter  Scott. 


EXERCISE  171 

which  the  years  of  life  in  the  open  air  had  equipped 
him,  and  his  continued  devotion  to  brisk  daily  rides 
and  walks. 

At  the  age  of  fifty-five,  through  the  failure  of  a  pub- 
lishing house  with  which  he  was  connected,  a  debt  of 
$600,000  was  suddenly  thrust  upon  him.  Many  friends 
urged  that  he  relieve  himself  of  this  crushing  load  by 
going  into  bankruptcy,  and  depend  upon  his  popu- 
larity to  cause  people  soon  to  forgive  such  action. 
But  Sir  Walter  Scott  said,  "No  !"  The  years  of  devo- 
tion to  out-of-door  exercise  had  equipped  him  with 
rugged  honesty  as  well  as  rugged  health.  With  the 
lofty  courage  of  the  most  chivalric  knight  in  his  own 
stories,  he  declared  that  if  God  gave  him  health, 
the  debt  should  be  paid  in  full,  and  that  no  one 
should  lose  one  penny  on  his  account.  Henceforth  his 
great  aim  in  life  was  to  pay  this  vast  sum  of  money  by 
the  work  of  his  pen.  During  the  ensuing  years  almost 
every  waking  moment  was  spent  in  writing,  story  after 
story  being  published  and  gaining  wide  popularity. 

An  ordinary  man  could  not  have  endured  such 
strenuous  mental  labor.  His  constitution  had  grown 
so  strong,  however,  through  years  of  devotion  to  active 
exercise  in  the  bracing  air,  that  he  was  able  to  keep  up 
this  terrible  pace  nearly  five  years,  before  paralysis 
compelled  him  to  stop.  He  died  a  few  months  later, 
happy  in  the  thought  that  the  sale  of  his  books  would 
soon  wipe  out  the  debt ;  but  leaving  his  friends  and 
admirers  sac!  in  the  belief  that,  had  the  old  habits 


172        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

of  daily  exercise  in  the  open  air  been  kept  up,  his  life 
might  have  been  spared  many  years.  What  an  in- 
spiration for  sickly  boys  and  girls  is  the  life  of  this 
great  poet  and  novelist !  Devotion  to  out-of-door  life 
enabled  him,  a  puny  lad,  to  become  one  of  the  best- 
known  English  authors.  The  character  developed 
under  such  circumstances  helped  him  to  furnish  an 
example  of  devotion  to  high  ideals  of  honor  and  duty 
that  will  be  an  inspiration  as  long  as  the  records  of  his 
noble  life  exist. 

The  careers  of  these  two  eminent  men  certainly 
prove  the  truth  of  the  old  sayings :  "The  child  is  father 
of  the  man,"  and  "As  the  twig  is  bent,  the  tree  is  in- 
clined." Children  who  would  live  the  happiest  and 
most  useful  lives,  should,  like  them,  cultivate  a  fond- 
ness for  out-of-door  exercises,  and  persist  in  gratifying 
that  love  all  their  lives.  Nor  is  this  a  hard  thing  to 
do,  for  what  gives  more  pleasure  than  active  exercise 
in  the  bracing  air  ?  What  delight  there  is  in  the  games 
themselves,  and  how  the  exercise  sends  the  blood 
bounding  through  the  veins,  filling  every  fiber  of  our 
bodies  with  new  life  and  vigor ! 

Do  we  wish  to  have  bodies  both  strong  in  action 
and  powerful  in  resisting  wind  and  weather?  All 
may  not  have  such  opportunities  for  out-of-door 
exercise  as  Theodore  Roosevelt  or  Walter  Scott  had 
in  boyhood.  Still  there  are  some  forms  that  are  pos- 
sible for  everybody.  Either  city  or  country  children 
can  scorn  to  ride  to  school  or  any  other  place,  if  there 


EXERCISE  173 

is  time  to  run  or  to  walk.  Certainly,  unless  the  weather 
is  too  rainy,  this  practice  will  be  found  beneficial. 
"But  should  we  not  ride  in  the  warm  street  cars  on 
cold  winter  days?"  city  children  may  ask.  By  no 
means !  The  colder  the  air,  the  more  bracing  it  is. 
Boys  and  girls  who  hurry  on  foot  to  school,  breathing 
in  the  exhilarating  oxygen,  both  save  the  car  fare  and 
store  up  for  the  day's  work  vitality  and  power  that 
no  amount  of  money  can  buy.  Fortunate  are  the 
children  who,  because  their  parents  cannot  afford  the 
necessary  car  fares,  get  a  larger  supply  of  precious 
oxygen  !  Unfortunate  indeed  are  those  children  whose 
well-to-do  parents  do  not  realize  that  by  enabling 
their  little  ones  to  avoid  exertion  in  the  cold  air,  they 
are  unthinkingly  depriving  them  of  a  great  benefit ! 
Again,  all  of  us  can  have  our  work  out  of  doors 
whenever  that  is  feasible.  When  obliged  to  stay 
indoors,  we  can  also  make  sure  that  the  atmosphere 
of  the  room  is  as  pure  as  possible.  Furthermore,  all 
can  form  the  habit  of  getting  out  of  doors  for  some 
active  exercise  whenever  freedom  from  work  and  other 
conditions  permit,  aiming  to  cultivate  such  a  love 
for  some  open-air  game  or  sport,  that  we  shall  keep  it 
up  regularly  as  we  grow  older.  Horseback  riding  is 
good,  if  we  can  afford  it.  Tennis,  golf,  base-ball, 
skating,  and  many  others  are  excellent.  That  is  the 
best  for  each  which  can  be  undertaken  most  readily, 
for  it  is  the  one  most  likely  to  be  kept  up  regularly. 
Although,  other  things  being  equal,  a  game  having 


174       THE    WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

the  element  of  contest  is  better  than  exercise  which 
is  not  a  test  of  skill,  yet  even  a  brisk  walk  will 
suffice  when  more  absorbing  exercise  is  not  possible. 

Walking  is  certainly  far  better  than  no  exercise  at 
all,  and  is  even  to  be  preferred  to  games  in  gym- 
nasiums, because  the  air  in  the  best-ventilated  of 
such  rooms  cannot  be  as  beneficial  as  the  pure  atmos- 
phere outside.  Active,  out-of-door  exercise  is  an 
excellen^  thing  for  adults,  because  it  keeps  the  heart 
and  breathing  muscles  strong  and  in  good  condition. 
Men  and  women  who  do  not  continue  some  such  ex- 
ercise after  entering  business  life,  in  time  get  out  of 
breath  quickly  when  some  sudden  physical  exertion 
is  necessary.  This  is  because  the  heart  and  other 
muscle  tissues  have  become  enfeebled  from  lack  of 
use.  Such  a  condition  can  easily  be  avoided  by  regu- 
lar, active  exercise. 

Let  us  then  persist  in  forming  a  love  for  out-of-door 
life,  both  for  the  joy  it  will  afford  and  the  larger  use- 
fulness it  is  bound  to  give  us.  We  may  not  all  become 
authors  so  celebrated  as  Sir  Walter  Scott,  or  war- 
riors, authors,  or  statesmen  so  distinguished  as  our 
versatile  and  beloved  President  Roosevelt.  Never- 
theless, no  matter  how  humble  our  calling,  honest, 
useful  lives  are  possible  for  all.  If,  like  these  two  great 
men,  we  improve  the  opportunity  to  make  our  bodies 
vigorous  and  strong,  like  theirs,  our  lives  will  become 
more  honorable  and  useful  than  would  otherwise  have 
been  possible. 


EXERCISE  175 

In  the  Century  Magazine  of  June,  1907,  the  famous 
Australian  singer,  Madame  Melba,  gives  the  following 
testimony,  which  should  be  of  especial  interest  to  girls : 

"For  perfect  singing,  correct  breathing,  strange 
as  it  may  sound,  is  even  more  essential  than  a  beautiful 
voice.  No  matter  how  exquisite  the  vocal  organ  may 
be,  its  beauty  cannot  be  adequately  demonstrated 
without  proper  breath  control.  .  .  .  Phrasing,  tone, 
resonance,  expression,  all  depend  upon  respiration ; 
and,  in  my  opinion,  musical  students,  even  when  too 
young  to  be  allowed  the  free  use  of  the  voice,  should 
be  thoroughly  taught  the  principle  of  breathing. 

"  Indeed,  the  science  of  taking  breath  is  a  study 
peculiarly  suited  to  the  years  of  childhood  and  ado- 
lescence ;  for,  apart  from  other  considerations,  there 
are  few  things  so  conducive  to  good  health  as  good 
breathing.  And,  owing  to  the  greater  elasticity  of 
the  human  frame  in  the  time  of  youth,  the  chest  is 
then  more  easily  developed  and  expanded.  Any 
exercises  that  give  strength  to  the  diaphragm  are  of 
especial  value,  since  this  is  the  chief  muscle  of  inspira- 
tion. Expiration,  however,  is  not  so  easily  controlled 
as  inspiration,  and  on  that  score  calls  for  the  most 
careful  practice.  .  .  . 

"Of  course  robust  physical  health  is  of  paramount 
importance.  Without  it  a  great  vocal  career  is  ab- 
solutely barred.  ...  I  admit  that  there  is  much  in 
a  singer's  life  conducive  to  this  physical  robustness, 
as,  for  example,  the  vigorous  use  of  the  breathing 


176        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

apparatus.  .  .  .  Plenty  of  fresh  air,  plain  food, 
a  reasonable  amount  of  exercise,  and  eight  or  nine 
hours'  sleep  are  all  necessary  to  the  young  singer, 
whose  larynx  is  quick  to  reflect  the  general  physical 
condition. 

"At  the  same  time  common  sense  and  individual 
temperament  should  be  the  best  of  all  health  rules. 
I  myself  always  suffer  in  a  steam-heated  apartment; 
I  consider  the  general  overheating  in  America  a  menace, 
and  never  allow  the  temperature  of  my  rooms  to  rise 
above  sixty  degrees ;  while  at  the  same  time  the  whole 
range  of  my  apartments  is  continually  freshened  with 
pure  air. 

"The  singer  should  aim  at  becoming  a  hardy  plant 
rather  than  a  hot-house  plant.  I  know  that  a  girl 
with  a  voice  receives  a  painful  revelation  of  the  deli- 
cacy of  her  vocal  organs  when  she  passes  from  a  super- 
heated room  to  the  low  temperature  of  a  winter's 
day  outside.  But  I  consider  dry  feet  far  more  im- 
portant than  the  wrapping  up  of  the  throat  on  raw, 
slushy  days." 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

ADULTERATED   AIR  —  TOBACCO 

WE  have  learned  how  much  pure  bracing  air  has 
to  do  with  the  enduring  strength  of  the  House  that 
Jack  Has,  and  how  the  dust  and  smoke  of  cities  often 
hinder  its  best  building  work.  How  unwise  it  seems 
for  people  knowingly  to  adulterate  the  air  their  bodies 
are  using !  And  yet  many  do  so  through  the  practice 
of  smoking.  Tobacco,  the  substance  most  generally 
used  by  smokers,  is  called  a  narcotic  because  of  its 
peculiar  effect  on  the  nervous  system.  The  fact  that 
severe  sickness  usually  follows  the  first  use  of  tobacco 
is  good  evidence  that  it  is  naturally  poisonous  to  the 
human  body. 

Undoubtedly  many  tobacco  users  have  lived  to  a 
good  old  age.  That  they  might  have  been  healthier 
and  longer  lived  without  the  tobacco  is  quite  probable. 
It  is  also  a  well-known  fact  that  many  of  the  most 
useful  old  men  of  the  world  have  been  abstainers  from 
tobacco.  Many  smokers  who  have  become  alarmed 
at  getting  out  of  breath  quickly  through  any  unusual 
exertion,  have  found,  on  consulting  a  physician,  that 
they  had  a  "Tobacco  Heart."  This  name  is  applied 

N  177 


178        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

to  the  too  rapid  and  irregular  beating  of  the  heart 
which  is  sometimes  caused  by  the  narcotic  effect  of 
tobacco  on  the  nerves.  In  such  cases,  if  smoking  is 
given  up  for  a  time,  the  heart's  action  soon  becomes 
normal ;  but,  if  the  harmful  habit  is  continued  in  spite 
of  such  warning,  serious  injury  may  be  done.  Often 
men  whose  employment  makes  very  little  physical 
exercise  necessary,  have  not  realized  the  weak  condi- 
tion of  their  heart  until  refused  life  insurance  on  this 
account. 

In  a  magazine  article  published  February,  1897, 
Professor  J.  W.  Seaver,  Director  of  Yale  University 
Gymnasium,  gave  some  remarkable  information  con- 
cerning students  who  were  tobacco  users.  For  nine 
years  he  had  kept  careful  record  of  the  age,  height, 
weight,  chest  girth,  and  lung  capacity  of  all  stu- 
dents who  entered  that  university.  He  also  recorded 
whether  they  had  used  tobacco  before  coming  to 
college.  According  to  his  records,  the  smokers  who 
entered  Yale  during  that  period  averaged  fifteen 
months  older  than  those  who  were  non-users  of  tobacco. 
This  would  certainly  seem  to  prove  that  the  tobacco 
habit  hinders  boys  from  making  their  best  progress 
in  school. 

The  measurements  he  made  of  the  students  who 
entered,  showed  that  while  the  smokers  were,  as  a  rule, 
somewhat  heavier,  their  average  height  and  lung 
capacity  were  both  considerably  smaller.  Now  as 
they  were,  on  the  average,  fifteen  months  older,  they 


ADULTERATED  AIR — TOBACCO  179 

naturally  should  have  been  both  taller  and  of  greater 
lung  capacity. 

Professor  Seaver  also  kept  accurate  record  of  the 
physical  development  made  by  the  young  men  while 
they  were  attending  college.  To  find  out  what  effect 
tobacco  might  have  in  this  respect,  he  grouped  them 
into  three  classes;  namely,  those  who  never  used 
tobacco,  those  who  had  used  it  for  at  least  a  year, 
and  those  who  used  it  irregularly.  His  records  showed 
that  those  who  never  used  it  increased  in  weight  about 
one-tenth  more  than  those  who  had  used  it  for  a  year 
or  more,  and  nearly  seven-hundredths  more  than  those 
who  used  it  irregularly.  In  height,  the  gain  of  the 
non-users  was  nearly  one-fourth  more  than  that  of 
those  who  had  smoked  a  year  or  more,  and  a  trifle 
over  one-tenth  more  than  that  of  the  irregular  user. 
The  gain  in  girth  of  chest  for  the  non-users  was  slightly 
more  than  one-fourth  greater  than  that  of  the  irregular 
smokers.  But  the  gain  in  lung  capacity  for  the  non- 
smokers  was  greatest  of  all.  In  this  respect  they 
were  more  than  three-fourths  ahead  of  the  year  or 
more  smokers,  and  almost  one-half  better  than  the 
irregular  smokers. 

Did  the  non-smokers  also  show  greater  ability  as 
students?  Out  of  the  hundred  men  who  took  the 
highest  rank  at  Yale  while  Professor  Seaver  was  keep- 
ing these  records,  only  five  were  smokers.  The  other 
ninety-five  never  used  tobacco.  Of  all  the  students 
taking  rank  below  this  hundred,  however,  three-fifths 


180   THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

were  smokers.  Dr.  Hitchcock  of  Amherst  College 
has  obtained  similar  figures  from  records  kept  of 
students  who  were  gaining  an  education  there.  Surely 
any  boy  who  wants  to  be  able  to  do  his  best,  either 
in  play  or  at  study,  can  make  Professor  Seaver's 
conclusions  the  very  best  of  reasons  why  he  will  not 
begin  to  use  tobacco  in  any  form. 

Indeed,  the  bad  effect  of  tobacco  on  the  physical 
and  mental  development  of  boys  is  so  well  known 
that  the  law  makes  its  sale  to  children  a  misdemeanor 
punishable  by  fine  or  imprisonment.  And  such  an 
act  should  receive  the  severest  punishment,  for  tobacco, 
especially  in  the  form  of  cigarettes,  stunts  children's 
growth.  It  also  dulls  their  minds,  and  makes  them 
listless  and  inattentive.  Boys  often  commence  smok- 
ing in  the  belief  that  it  will  make  them  appear  manly. 
On  the  contrary,  it  takes  away  from  their  manly  ap- 
pearance by  causing  unnatural  pallor  and  thinness. 
Besides  this,  its  effect  on  their  wills  may  be  so  weaken- 
ing that  often  boys  who  would  not  otherwise  have 
stooped  to  anything  low  or  impure,  disgrace  them- 
selves and  their  friends  by  doing  mean  and  vicious 
things. 

The  odor  of  tobacco  is  very  penetrating,  being 
noticeable  in  both  the  clothes  and  the  breath  of  its 
users.  Smokers  and  their  immediate  family  and 
friends  get  accustomed  to  this  odor,  but  it  is  fre- 
quently disliked  by  others.  One  of  the  unfortunate 
things  about  the  smoking  habit  is  that  those  who 


ADULTERATED  AIR — TOBACCO  181 

are  fond  of  tobacco  sometimes  forget  that  it  may  be 
offensive  to  others,  and  smoke  in  public  conveyances 
or  meeting  places  without  considering  that  others 
present  may  prefer  not  to  have  the  air  made  less  pure 
by  ill-smelling  smoke. 

The  habit  of  chewing  tobacco  is  probably  much 
less  common  than  smoking,  but  it  has  all  the  bad 
features  of  the  latter  and  is  certainly  much  more 
offensive.  That  smoking  tobacco  is  an  expensive 
and  more  or  less  untidy  habit  cannot  be  denied. 
That  we  often  meet  with  men  who  wish  they  had  never 
started  the  habit,  and  rarely,  if  ever,  find  one  who 
does  not  regret  having  burned  his  money  up  in  this 
way,  are  facts  well  worth  considering. 

The  following  conclusions  may  be  readily  made 
from  the  above  facts.  Genuine  lovers  of  cleanliness 
should  avoid  a  habit  that  may  cause  them  to  be 
offensive  to  others.  Genuine  lovers  of  pure  air  should 
not  begin  a  practice  that  will  interfere  with  their 
getting  the  fullest  enjoyment  of  this  best  gift  of  na- 
ture to  their  bodies.  Genuine  lovers  of  perfect  health 
should  beware  of  a  custom  that  has  injured  many 
others,  and  may  weaken  their  bodies.  Most  important 
of  all,  boys  should  shun  the  tobacco  habit  as  they 
would  smallpox  or  other  dangerous  disease,  for  it  may 
easily  do  undeveloped  bodies  even  greater  harm. 
Surely  all  should  remember  that  air  is  the  most  im- 
portant element  in  body-building.  We  would  not, 
think  of  adulterating  the  bread  we  eat  by  mixing 


182        THE    WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

tobacco  with  its  flour,  nor  should  we  be  any  less  par- 
ticular about  the  air  we  breathe.  When  asked  if  smok- 
ers were  desirable  members  of  his  polar  expedi- 
tions, Commander  Robert  E.  Peary  replied:  "As 
for  taking  a  man  with  me  who  is  dependent  on  the 
use  of  tobacco,  I  should  as  soon  think  of  taking  a  man 
who  had  to  have  pie." 


CHAPTER   XIX 


THE    LARGEST   COMPONENT   OF   JACK'S   HOUSE  —  WATER 


WATER  is  the  largest  component  of  the  Wonderful 
House  that  Jack  Has.  How  much  this  common 
liquid  has  added  to  our  pleasure  since  babyhood ! 
In  summer,  we  have  sailed 
tiny  boats  and  gone  swim- 
ming in  it.  In  winter, 
many  a  merry  hour  of 
skating  on  its  frozen  sur- 
face has  been  our  delight. 
How  often,  when  we  have 
been  tired  and  thirsty,  it 
has  revived  and  strength- 

Sailing  tiny  boats. 

ened    us !     We,    perhaps, 

have  never  thought  why  a  glass  of  water  is  so  refresh- 
ing, though  the  pangs  of  thirst  have  told  in  no  uncer- 
tain way  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  our  health 
and  comfort. 

If  two-thirds  of  a  house  were  wood,  and  a  certain 
amount  were  worn  off  each  day,  the  portion  lost  would 
have  to  be  replaced,  or  it  would  soon  tumble  down. 
Now,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  chemists  estimate  that 

183 


184        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

at  least  two-thirds  of  the  human  body  is  water.  Blood 
is  nearly  four-fifths  water,  and  flesh,  cartilage,  and 
even  bone,  all  have  a  share.  In  fact,  if  all  the  water 
were  to  be  pressed  out  of  the  tissues  of  a  healthy 
person  weighing  one  hundred  twenty  pounds,  the 
substances  remaining  would  not  altogether  amount 
to  more  than  forty  pounds. 

As  the  body  is  continually  giving  out  water  through 
the  skin,  lungs,  and  kidneys,  it  must  frequently  receive 
a  new  supply  to  keep  up  the  normal  proportion  of 
two-thirds.  A  dry,  parched  feeling  in  the  mouth 
and  throat  is  a  warning  that  the  proportion  of  moisture 
has  been  reduced  below  the  normal  amount,  and  that 
the  loss  must  be  supplied  if  we  are  to  feel  comfortable. 
From  our  study  of  foods,  we  know  that  bread,  meat, 
and  vegetables  all  contain  water,  and  that  a  part  of 
the  body's  need  for  this  fluid  is  supplied  by  them. 
The  various  liquids  drunk  during  the  day  furnish  the 
remainder. 

Why  are  we,  as  a  rule,  thirsty  so  much  more  often 
in  summer  than  in  winter  ?  Simply  because  the  greater 
amount  of  water  lost  in  perspiration  must  be  supplied. 
For  a  similar  reason,  we  drink  more  freely  when  work- 
ing or  exercising  than  at  times  of  slight  activity. 
At  night  there  is  normally  the  least  craving  for  water, 
because  the  body,  being  in  a  state  of  rest,  loses  but 
a  small  amount  through  the  pores  of  the  skin. 

But  water  performs  other  important  services  in 
Jack's  House.  We  know  that  it  is  used  to  soak  up 


WATER  185 

dirt  from  soiled  clothing.  Making  other  substances 
become  a  part  of  itself  in  this  way  is  called  dissolving, 
or  taking  into  solution.  Notice  how  much  salt,  sugar, 
or  other  substance  a  glass  of  water  can  take  into 
solution.  This  is  an  interesting  experiment  that  all 
can  try.  It  is  because  of  this  dissolving  power  that 
water  is  so  useful  in  cleaning  floors,  furniture,  and  any- 
thing else  that  is  soiled.  On  account  of  the  same 
quality  it  is  able  to  carry  away  waste  and  filth  from 
our  homes  through  the  sewer  pipes. 

A  great  deal  of  water  must  be  used  in  bathing,  if 
we  are  to  keep  our  skin  clean  and  wholesome.  It  is 
also  just  as  necessary  to  make  free  use  of  this  dissolv- 
ing liquid  to  keep  the  inside  of  our  bodies  in  a  clean, 
healthy  condition.  In  studying  about  How  Jack's 
House  Builds  Itself,  we  found  that  it  must  get  rid  of 
certain  harmful  acids,  poorly  digested  materials,  and 
other  waste  products.  Water  is  an  important  aid 
in  getting  these  out  of  the  body.  As  it  is  able  to  soak 
up  dirt  from  clothes  and  carry  waste  through  sewer 
pipes,  so  it  can  take  up  acids  and  other  injurious  or  use- 
less substances,  and  carry  them  from  the  body  through 
the  kidneys,  lungs,  and  skin.  It  may  also  be  of  great 
assistance  to  the  intestines  in  getting  rid  of  the  solid 
waste  products  of  digestion. 

Any  boy  knows  that  a  bicycle  runs  its  best  when  all 
the  parts  are  thoroughly  clean.  Like  the  bicycle, 
our  bodies  can  perform  their  best  service  when  kept 
thoroughly  clean  in  all  their  parts.  Drinking  freely 


186        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

of  pure  water  is  one  of  the  greatest  helps  in  accom- 
plishing our  inner  house  cleaning.  In  a  previous 
chapter  we  read  that  drinking  too  freely  of  water  at 
meals  may  be  an  injurious  practice,  because,  if  cold, 
it  is  likely  to  lessen  the  supply  of  digestive  fluids,  and, 
if  taken  in  too  large  quantities,  it  may  over-dilute 
them. 

But  a  glass  or  two  of  water  just  before  retiring  at 
night,  or  two  or  three  glasses  a  half  hour  or  more 
before  meals,  especially  before  breakfast,  are  most 
effective  in  keeping  the  inside  of  our  bodies  clean  and 
healthy.  At  such  times  the  work  of  stomach-di- 
gestion of  the  previous  meal  is  nearly  or  entirely  com- 
pleted. The  water  helps  to  cleanse  the  various  organs 
and  tissues  through  which  it  is  carried,  and  also  stimu- 
lates the  kidneys  to  remove  injurious  products  from 
the  blood.  Thus,  this  liquid,  so  commonly  used  to 
clean  the  outside  of  many  things  we  can  see,  is  equally 
useful  in  cleaning  the  inside  of  our  bodies  which  we 
cannot  see.  There  are  people  who  get  into  the  habit 
of  drinking  little  or  no  water  except  what  is  in  their 
coffee  or  tea.  Some  insidious  disease  forces  them  to 
consult  a  physician,  when  they  discover  what  a  serious 
mistake  they  have  been  making  and  how  much  benefit 
they  might  have  derived  from  drinking  a  plentiful 
supply  of  pure  water. 

But  what  about  the  temperature  of  our  drinking 
water?  Is  that  of  any  particular  consequence?  It 
certainly  is,  for  the  stimulating  effect  of  water  depends 


WATER  187 

upon  whether  the  difference  of  its  temperature  and 
that  of  the  body  is  great  enough  to  affect  the  nerves 
and  muscles.  When  it  is  enough  colder  or  warmer 
than  blood  heat  to  stimulate  the  lining  of  the  mouth 
and  stomach,  the  nerves  and  muscles  along  the  digestive 
canal  are  affected  in  a  similar  way.  In  fact,  if  the 
intestines  are  not  regularly  and  freely  discharging  the 
waste  products  of  digestion,  a  cup  or  two  of  cold  or 
hot  water  a  half  hour  or  more  before  breakfast  is  often 
a  most  effective  help.  Of  course,  water  should  not 
be  hot  enough  to  burn,  and  refreshingly  cool  is  better 
than  ice  cold.  When  either  very  hot  or  very  cold,  it 
should  be  drunk  slowly. 

Hot  water  will  take  more  materials  into  solution; 
but  many  prefer  cold  water,  because  of  its  pleasant 
taste  and  its  tendency  to  give  the  lining  of  the  di- 
gestive canal  a  more  vigorous  tone.  We  all  know 
how  refreshing  cold  water  is  to  our  hands  and  face, 
and  can  readily  understand  why  it  may  have  a  similar 
effect  on  the  mucous  lining  of  the  digestive  organs. 
How  much  better  it  is  to  assist  the  cleansing  of  the 
inside  of  our  bodies  by  the  abundant  use  of  water, 
than  by  taking  patent  medicines  and  other  drugs ! 
The  drugs  whip  the  glands  into  pouring  out  extra 
large  amounts  of  dissolving  fluids.  As  a  natural 
consequence,  they  must  rest  to  recover  from  such 
unusual  exertion,  and  so  are  not  fully  ready  to  take 
care  of  the  next  jneal  when  it  reaches  them.  The 
water,  on  the  contrary,  simply  affords  a  natural  stimu- 


188        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

lant,  and  by  softening  the  contents  of  the  digestive 
canal,  it  aids  in  the  expulsion  of  waste. 

There  may,  of  course,  be  times  when  medicine  is 
necessary  to  help  in  our  internal  house  cleaning;  but 
it  should  be  prescribed  by  a  physician,  or  at  least  be 
something  of  well  established  value  in  the  household. 
The  habit  of  taking  doses  of  any  kind  should  be  care- 
fully avoided.  Our  bodies  are  wonderful  self-oiling, 
self-cleansing  machines.  Furnish  them  an  abundance 
of  air,  water,  exercise,  not  too  much  food,  and  suffi- 
cient rest,  and  they  are  likely  to  continue  strong,  clean, 
and  healthy.  These  are  the  natural  ways  to  build 
and  repair  them.  Medicines  should  be  rarely  used 
unless  a  doctor  advises.  Of  this  we  may  be  certain : 
if  we  learn  to  make  the  right  use  of  these  common 
building  and  repair  materials,  we  shall  be  so  strong 
and  well  that  spending  money  for  medicine  will  rarely 
be  necessary. 

Let  us  review  our  knowledge  of  this  useful  liquid. 
Where  does  it  come  from  ?  Is  it  all  alike  and  equally 
beneficial?  We  have  all  seen  steam  come  out  of  the 
teakettle  and  condense  into  water  again  as  it  strikes 
the  cold  surface  of  the  window.  Water  that  is  con- 
densed from  steam  is  called  distilled  water,  and  it  is 
very  pure,  for  whatever  mineral  or  other  substance 
might  have  been  in  solution  before  the  steam  was 
formed,  was  left  behind. 

That  greatest  of  all  fires,  the  sun,  is  constantly 
causing  moisture  to  rise  from  that  greatest  of  all  tea- 


WATER  189 

kettles,  the  ocean,  and  from  other  bodies  of  water  as 
well,  the  salt  and  other  substances  in  solution  of 
course  being  left  behind.  When  clouds  of  this  moisture 
come  in  contact  with  cold  currents  of  air,  condensa- 
tion ensues,  and  water  falls  to  the  ground  in  the  form 
of  rain,  hail,  or  snow.  Rain  would  be  as  pure  as  dis- 
tilled water,  if  it  did  not  bring  along  ammonia,  dust, 
and  other  substances  that  are  in  the  air.  How  clean 
and  pure  the  air  seems  just  after  a  hard  rain  storm! 
This  is  because  the  rain  has  given  it  a  thorough 
cleansing. 

Much  of  the  water  that  falls  from  the  clouds  drains 
into  small  streams,  and  finally  reaches  the  ocean. 
A  considerable  quantity  soaks  down  into  the  earth,, 
however,  collecting  in  some  rocky  region  through 
which  it  cannot  pass.  Here  it  forms  the  sources  of 
various  wells,  or  bubbles  out  of  lower  ground  in  the 
form  of  springs.  In  passing  through  the  ground,  the 
substances  brought  with  it  from  the  air  are  filtered 
out,  but  it  often  dissolves  others  in  the  earth  through 
which  it  passes.  Water  that  has  taken  up  considerable 
lime  or  other  mineral  matter  in  passing  through  the 
earth  is  called  hard  water.  That  which  has  very  little 
mineral  substance  in  solution  is  called  soft  water. 
Some  waters  have  taken  up  salts,  sulphur,  or  other 
mineral  matter  that  gives  them  valuable  medicinal 
qualities,  and  so  sanitariums  are  built  near  such  springs, 
and  their  waters  often  have  a  large  sale. 

Why  does  the  housewife  prefer  soft  water  for  wash- 


190        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


ing?  Because  it  has  less  mineral  substance  in  solu- 
tion, and  hence  more  readily  takes  up  dirt  from  soiled 
clothes.  For  a  similar  reason,  soft  water  is  often  pre- 
ferred for  drinking,  and  distilled  water,  as  far  as  dis- 
solving power  is 
concerned,  is  bet- 
ter  still.  The 
salts  of  lithia  in- 
crease the  dis- 
solving powers  of 
water,  and,  on 
this  account, 
much  lithia  water 
is  drunk. 

One  thing  on 
which  all  are 
agreed  is  that  water  polluted  by  waste  material  from 
the  human  body  should  be  avoided.  Such  water  may 
come  from  wells  situated  near  out-houses  or  cemeteries. 
This  waste  material  may  be  in  city  water  when  the 
source  of  supply  is  some  river  or  other  stream  into 
which  sewage  is  drained.  The  danger  most  to  be 
feared  from  drinking  such  water  is  typhoid  fever,  be- 
cause the  germ  of  this  disease  is  often  in  the  waste 
that  passes  from  the  intestines  of  human  beings. 
When  there  is  any  reason  to  fear  that  the  drinking  sup- 
ply is  polluted  from  sewers  or  any  other  source,  it 
should  be  boiled  about  twenty  minutes  after  the  steam 
begins  to  rise.  This  will  kill  all  germs.  Another  bene- 


A.  good  way  to  kill  germs  in  drinking  water  —  boil 
twenty  minutes. 


WATER  191 

fit  from  boiling  drinking  water  is  that  some  of  the  sub- 
stances in  solution  are  deposited,  both  the  clearness  of 
the  water  and  its  dissolving  power  being  improved. 
Filters  are  also  often  used  to  purify  drinking  water. 
When  we  consider  that  thousands  of  deaths  from 
typhoid  fever  occur  yearly,  the  necessity  of  being 
careful  about  our  drinking  water  can  be  easily  appre- 
ciated. The  whole  world  marveled  at  the  compara- 
tively small  number  of  deaths  from  disease  in  the 
Japanese  army  during  the  Russian-Japanese  war. 
When  a  new  camp  was  pitched,  the  drinking  water 
was  examined,  and  if  disease  germs  were  found,  it 
was  purified  before  being  used  for  drinking.  This  pre- 
caution prevented  much  sickness. 

Drinking  water  should  not  be  cooled  by  putting  in 
ice  that  has  been  cut  from  sewage-laden  streams,  as 
freezing  does  not  necessarily  kill  typhoid  fever  germs. 
When  the  purity  of  the  ice  is  in  doubt,  placing  a  bottle 
of  water  on  the  ice  is  a  safer  way  of  cooling  than  putting 
ice  in  the  water.  Water  that  has  remained  in  water 
pipes  all  night  should  not  be  drunk,  as  it  may  have 
dissolved  lead,  which  is  poisonous.  By  allowing  it 
to  run  a  few  moments  before  the  teakettle  or  pitcher 
is  filled,  danger  from  this  source  is  avoided.  Water 
very  readily  takes  up  gases  or  bacteria  that  may  be  in 
the  air,  and  for  this  reason  should  not  be  left  long 
uncovered  when  it  is  used  for  drinking.  Such  care 
is  especially  necessary  in  the  sick  room. 

Why  is  it  better  to  force  drinking  water  from  a  well 


192        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

with  a  pump  than  to  draw  it  in  a  bucket?  Because 
when  a  bucket  is  used,  the  top  of  the  well  is  more  or 
less  open,  but  a  tight  covering  is  possible  around  a 
pump.  It  is  also  a  good  plan  to  have  the  surface 
surrounding  the  top  of  a  well  slope  away  from  it. 
Such  grading  causes  the  waste  water  to  drain  off  instead 
of  flowing  quickly  back  into  the  well  and  perhaps  carry- 
ing impure  substances  with  it.  Melted  snow  does  not 
make  as  pure  drinking  water  as  a  good  supply  from 
underground,  because  the  substances  taken  up  during 
its  passage  through  the  air  have  not  been  filtered  out 
by  the  earth.  The  same  thing  is  usually  true  of  stored 
rain-water. 

Thus  far  we  have  considered  the  value  of  water  to 
the  inside  of  the  body.  Let  us  now  see  how  it  per- 
forms another  very  useful  service  in  helping  to  keep 
the  outside  clean  and  healthy.  And  what  an  inter- 
esting outside  covering  the  skin  is !  Its  outer  or  thin 
layer,  called  the  epidermis,  is  the  part  that  is  raised 
by  a  blister,  and  its  chief  use  is  to  protect  the  under 
layer,  called  the  dermis  or  true  skin.  The  under  side 
of  the  epidermis  is  uneven,  and  the  cells  of  which  it  is 
composed  are  constantly  working  up  to  the  surface 
and  being  shed.  The  dermis  with  the  underlying  fat 
serves  as  a  protection  to  the  body. 

The  skin  contains  two  sets  of  tubes  called  the  per- 
spiratory glands  and  the  oil  glands.  The  perspiratory 
glands  are  small  tubes  lying  deep  in  the  true  skin  or 
the  fat  beneath,  An  outlet,  or  duct,  runs  from  each 


WATER  193 

in  a  spiral  manner  to  the  surface  of  the  skin.  It 
has  been  estimated,  that  if  all  these  glands,  which 
a  body  of  average  size  contains,  were  placed  end  to 
end,  they  would  reach  twenty-eight  miles.  What  a 
remarkable  arrangement  this  system  of  glands  is ! 
How  important  it  is  that  they  should  always  be  in 
the  best  condition  for  work  can  be  judged  from  the 
fact  that  with  the  kidneys  and  lungs  they  form  the 
sewers  through  which  the  water  of  the  body  and  any 
substances  that  it  has  taken  into  solution  are  dis- 
charged. Great  pains  are  taken  to  prevent  the  sewer 
pipes  of  a  dwelling  from  becoming  clogged,  and  when 
for  any  cause  they  are  stopped  up,  no  time  is  lost  in 
clearing  away  the  obstruction.  That  we  should  be 
even  more  particular  with  the  sewer  pipes  of  our  bodies 
can  be  easily  understood. 

It  is  well  known  that  waste  water  given  out  through 
the  pores  is  commonly  spoken  of  as  sweat  or  perspir- 
ation. On  warm  days  or  when  we  are  exercising 
violently,  perspiration  can  be  seen  or  felt  on  the  skin. 
At  other  times  the  pores  of  a  healthy  skin  give  out 
water,  but  in  such  small  quantities  that  it  is  called 
insensible  perspiration.  Like  watery  vapor  from. the 
lungs,  it  sometimes  has  a  disagreeable  odor  which  is 
noticed  after  perspiring  freely.  Though  the  water 
evaporates,  substances  that  it  had  in  solution  remain 
on  the  skin  or  underclothing.  But  what  other  use  have 
these  miles  of  pores  ?  They  perform  another  great  ser- 
vice in  so  regulating  the  body's  heat  that  in  health  it 


194        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

normally  remains  at  a  temperature  of  ninety-eight 
and  six-tenths  degrees,  without  regard  to  weather, 
rest,  or  exercise.  Suppose  there  were  a  stove  that 
would  increase  or  decrease  its  heat  to  remain  ninety- 
eight  and  six-tenths  degrees,  regardless  of  the  tem- 
perature of  the  room  in  which  it  was  placed,  what 
a  fine  invention  it  would  be  thought ! 

The  pores  of  our  skin  are  the  safety  valves  in  help- 
ing Jack's  House  to  be  just  such  a  stove.  We  know 
that  insensible  perspiration  is  continually  passing 
from  the  body.  Now  when  our  body's  temperature 
rises  above  ninety-eight  and  six-tenths  degrees  because 
of  heat  or  exercise,  these  glands  pour  out  so  much  ad- 
ditional perspiration  that  all  the  heat  not  needed  to 
keep  up  the  normal  temperature  is  expended  in  evapo- 
rating this  water  from  the  skin.  How  necessary  the 
work  of  these  glands  is  to  our  life  and  comfort,  may 
be  judged  from  the  fact  that  if  the  skin  were  covered 
with  any  substance  that  would  stop  up  all  the  pores, 
death  would  soon  follow. 

Of  what  use  are  the  oil  glands?  They  secrete 
a  fluid  that  lubricates  and  softens  the  skin.  If  oil 
and  the  scales  that  are  shed  by  the  skin  are  allowed 
to  collect  on  its  surface,  they  form  a  covering  which 
tends  to  obstruct  the  pores  and  interfere  with  the 
proper  performance  of  their  work.  When  such  a 
condition  is  allowed  to  continue,  the  kidneys  and  lungs 
are  given  an  abnormal  amount  of  labor  in  getting  rid 
of  the  liquid  waste  of  the  body.  As  a  natural  con- 


WATER  195 

sequence,  one  or  both  of  these  important  organs  may 
in  time  become  diseased,  especially  if  one's  work  is  not 
in  the  purifying  out-of-door  air.  Some  persons  try 
to  improve  their  complexions  by  applying  powder  or 
paint;  but  as  such  a  practice  tends  to  obstruct  the 
pores,  it  is  likely  to  prove  an  injury  instead  of  a  help 
to  the  appearance  of  the  skin. 

It  is  generally  known  that  bathing  is  the  best  way  to 
keep  the  perspiratory  glands  open  and  healthy.  But 
how  often  should  baths  be  taken?  We  have  learned 
that  insensible  perspiration,  oil,  and  scales  are  being 
constantly  given  off  by  the  body.  It  is  evident,  then, 
that  daily  bathing  of  the  entire  body  is  essential  for 
cleanliness  and  health.  Many  people  wash  their 
hands  and  face  several  times  daily,  because  dust  and 
dirt  show  on  them,  but  are  not  as  careful  about  parts 
of  the  body  that  are  not  visible.  Surely  when  one 
considers  that  the  skin  is  giving  off  impurities  con- 
tinually, the  need  of  bathing  the  entire  body  at  least 
once  a  day  is  plain.  Who  has  not  seen  a  baby  enjoy- 
ing its  daily  bath?  How  carefully  the  watchful 
mother  bathes  the  little  one  each  morning,  and  how 
much  the  babe  is  helped  in  gaining  health  and  strength  ! 
The  morning  bath  is  truly  a  custom  that  may  be  con- 
tinued always  with  great  profit. 
^  Baths  are  spoken  of  as  tepid,  warm,  hot,  or  cold. 
We  shall  now  learn  about  the  value  of  each,  and  when 
and  how  to  take  it.  Tepid  water  cleanses  the  skin, 
but,  as  it  is  neither  hot  nor  cold,  has  little  stimulat- 


196        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

ing  effect.  Warm  water  cleanses  more  quickly  and 
thoroughly  than  tepid.  It  also  induces  more  blood 
to  come  to  the  surface  of  the  skin;  without  greatly 
stimulating  the  action  of  the  heart.  For  this  reason; 
it  has  a  quiet,  soothing  effect  on  the  nervous  system, 
being  useful  not  only  in  cleansing  the  skin,  but  also 
in  helping  to  bring  restful  sleep.  People  troubled 
with  insomnia  often  find  that  a  warm  bath  just  before 
retiring  is  an  excellent  help  in  gaining  a  good  night's 
sleep,  for  uneven  circulation  or  too  much  blood  in  the 
head  is  often  the  cause  of  sleeplessness. 

Hot  water  cleanses  the  skin  more  readily  than  warm, 
and  also  has  a  much  greater  effect  on  the  heart's  action. 
On  this  account,  it  is  not  as  restful  to  some  people, 
making  them  wakeful  if  taken  just  before  retiring. 
A  hot  bath  causes  a  profuse  flow  of  perspiration. 
Consequently  it  relieves  the  body  of  impurities,  and, 
if  taken  in  time,  often  prevents  a  cold.  Where  there 
is  not  opportunity  for  a  full  tub  bath,  soaking  one's 
feet  in  hot  water  will  frequently  ward  off  a  cold,  and 
will  likewise  prove  a  valuable  aid  in  inducing  sleep. 
Usually  the  best  time  for  warm  or  hot  baths  is  just 
before  retiring  at  night,  or  at  least  two  or  three  hours 
after  meals.  If  they  are  taken  near  meal  time,  the 
extra  supply  of  blood  drawn  to  the  surface  of  the 
body  may  hinder  digestion. 

Cold  baths  do  not  cleanse  the  skin  as  well  as  the 
other  kinds  that  have  been  mentioned.  However, 
when  taken  daily,  and  followed  by  thorough  rubbing, 


WATER  197 

as  they  always  should  be,  they  keep  the  skin  in  ex- 
cellent condition,  especially  if  one  also  takes  a  hot 
bath  once  a  week.  Some  gymnastic  exercises  to 
stimulate  the  circulation  should  precede  a  cold  bath. 
Wetting  the  head,  face,  neck,  and  arms  with  cold 
water  before  getting  into  the  tub  is  also  a  wise  pre- 
caution. This  is  likewise  a  good  thing  to  do  before 
going  in  swimming,  even  on  the  warmest  days.  Daily 
cold  baths  cleanse  the  skin  and  are  an  excellent  means 
of  gaining  strength  and  vigor  for  the  entire  body. 
In  the  morning  before  breakfast  is  the  best  time  to 
take  them.  Their  first  effect  is  to  drive  blood  from 
the  skin  to  the  interior  of  the  body.  One's  breathing 
becomes  deeper,  first  quickening  but  afterward  be- 
coming slower.  On  getting  out  of  the  bath,  the  arteries 
near  the  surface  of  the  body  dilate,  causing  the  skin 
to  grow  red  with  blood.  The  bather  then  experiences 
a  delightful  feeling  of  warmth  and  exhilaration.  This 
is  called  the  reaction,  and  without  it  the  practice 
would  prove  harmful. 

It  is  wise  to  begin  the  habit  of  taking  cold  baths  in 
summer,  for  the  body  gradually  becomes  used  to  cold 
water  as  the  fall  and  winter  months  follow.  When 
convenient,  the  best  plan  is  to  get  into  a  tub  of  cold 
water;  but  where  this  is  not  feasible  a  sponge  bath 
is  a  good  substitute.  After  cold  water  has  been  applied 
to  the  entire  surface  of  the  body,  the  skin  should  be 
vigorously  rubbed  with  a  coarse,  dry  towel.  A  cold 
bath  of  any  kind  is  not  complete  without  such  rubbing. 


198        THE    WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

The  friction  thus  caused  aids  in  the  cleansing,  improves 
the  circulation,  and  also  helps  to  give  tone  and  life  to 
the  glands.  The  cold  shower  bath  is  excellent,  but 
few  have  such  a  privilege  at  home. 

The  bath  in  a  tub  of  cold  water  gives  a  greater  re- 
action and  is  more  stimulating  than  either  the  sponge 
or  the  shower  bath.  One  of  the  greatest  benefits 
from  cold  baths  is  the  power  they  give  to  resist  cold. 
Those  who  take  them  do  not  often  have  the  common 
malady  known  as  a  cold.  Their  bodies,  having  be- 
come accustomed  to  sudden  changes  of  temperature, 
are  not  easily  affected  by  draughts.  It  is  a  fact  that 
persons  in  delicate  health,  threatened  with  consump- 
tion or  other  serious  disease,  have  helped  to  make 
themselves  strong  and  vigorous  by  taking  the  morning 
cold  bath.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  those  who  have  be- 
come accustomed  to  this  healthfully  stimulating  prac- 
tice would  willingly  give  up  any  physical  pleasure  of 
the  day  rather  than  the  morning  bath.  That  so  few 
people  make  use  of  this  simple  health  giving  custom 
is  either  on  account  of  the  time  and  trouble  necessary, 
or  because  they  do  not  appreciate  how  much  real  joy 
and  zest  it  might  add  to  each  day's  living. 

The  practice  of  cleansing  the  body  by  baths  that 
cause  a  copious  flow  of  perspiration  is  very  general. 
Sometimes  this  is  done  by  going  into  rooms  filled 
with  steam.  These  are  called  Russian  baths.  Often 
air  of  a  very  high  temperature  is  used  instead  of 
steam.  The  latter  are  known  as  Turkish  baths. 


WATER  199 

Both  cause  a  free  flow  of  perspiration,  that  of  the 
Turkish  bath  being  greater,  as  dry  air  naturally 
takes  up  moisture  from  the  skin  faster  than  air  that  is 
full  of  steam.  After,  the  bather  has  stayed  in  the 
steam  or  hot  air  room  until  he  has  perspired  suffi- 
ciently, he  is  thoroughly  rubbed.  An  attendant  then 
cleanses  his  skin  with  soap  and  tepid  water.  After 
going  into  the  steam  room  cold 
water  is  applied,  and  after  a 
thorough  rubbing,  he  is  ready  for 
a  good  night's  sleep.  Probably  all 
large  cities  of  the  United  States 
have  one  or  more  public  baths  of 
this  kind.  That  they  are  very 
beneficial  both  in  cleansing  and  in 
stimulating  the  body  can  be  judged 
from  their  large  patronage. 

What  is  known  as   the   cabinet 
bath  is   an  excellent  home   substi-  Vapor  Bath, 

tute  for  the  Russian  bath.  The  cabinet  is  large  enough 
comfortably  to  inclose  a  person  in  a  sitting  posture. 
It  is  usually  made  of  rubber  cloth  and  has  an  open- 
ing in  the  top  through  which  the  bather's  head 
protrudes.  A  chair  is  put  inside  the  cabinet  and  an 
alcohol  lamp  having  a  small  basin  of  water  over  its 
flame  is  placed  underneath.  After  getting  inside  the 
cabinet,  the  bather  arranges  the  fastenings  so  as  to 
keep  the  steam  from  escaping  and  stays  until  the  de- 
sired amount  of  perspiration  has  flowed.  After  com- 


200        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

ing  out,  the  cleansing  process  is  continued  with  soap 
and  tepid  water,  usually  followed  by  a  cold  sponge 
bath  and  energetic  rubbing  with  a  coarse  towel.  In 
this,  as  in  other  warm  baths,  perspiration  flows  more 
freely  if  several  glasses  of  water  are  drunk  just  before- 
hand. Wood  alcohol  should  not  be  used  as  the  fuel 
for  such  a  bath,  for  its  fumes  are  said  to  be  injurious, 
especially  to  the  eyes. 

The  cabinet  bath  has  several  advantages  in  com- 
parison with  the  public  Russian  or  Turkish.  The 
only  expense  is  a  few  cents  for  the  alcohol  burned, 
while  the  public  baths  usually  cost  seventy-five  cents 
or  more.  A  person  in  the  cabinet  bath  breathes  the 
pure,  normally  heated  air  of  the  home  bath-room. 
In  the  public  baths,  the  air  breathed  is  necessarily 
very  hot  and  sometimes  not  pure.  While  one  may  not 
have  an  attendant  to  give  the  strenuous  massage  re- 
ceived at  public  baths,  he  may  derive  benefit  from 
performing  this  work  for  himself.  Children  who  play 
hard  outx>f  doors,  or  adults  doing  active  physical 
labor,  usually  perspire  enough  without  such  baths. 
For  persons  engaged  in  work  requiring  chiefly  mental 
effort,  a  weekly  bath  of  this  kind,  especially  in  the 
colder  months,  is  very  beneficial.  It  purifies,  rests, 
and  strengthens  the  entire  body.  It  is  also  one  of 
the  very  best  beautifiers  of  the  skin  and  complexion, 
because  it  stimulates  the  pores  to  an  active,  healthy 
condition. 

How  many  other  benefits  of  this  useful  liquid  friend 


WATER 


201 


might  be  mentioned  !  Cold  water  quickly  takes  the 
numbness  out  of  frozen  hands  or  feet.  Drinking  a 
bowl  of  hot  or  tepid  water  will  often  relieve  a  head- 
ache by  carrying  the  offending  substance  from  the 
stomach  or  caus- 
ing it  to  be 
ejected.  A  bot- 
tle of  hot  water 
placed  next  to 
any  part  of  the 
body  suffering 
from  pain  or 
congestion  often 
brings  quick  re- 
lief. These  sim- 
ple water  reme- 
dies, so  easily 
prepared,  are 
frequently  as  ef- 
fective as  costly 
medicines,  and 
far  better,  be- 
cause they  do  not  unduly  tax  the  body.  In  these  and 
in  many  other  ways  that  might  be  mentioned,  water 
helps  to  protect  our  bodies  by  keeping  them  in  good 
condition. 

A  familiar  advertisement  of  a  toilet  article  says,  — 
"The  first  step  away  from  self-respect  is  lack  of  care 
in  personal  cleanliness.  The  first  move  in  building 


Benjamin  Franklin. 


202       THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

up  proper  pride  in  man,  woman,  or  child  is  a  visit  to 
the  bath-tub.  You  cannot  be  healthy,  or  pretty, 
or  even  good,  unless  you  are  clean."  Perhaps  a  better 
ending  would  be,  "You  cannot  be  your  healthiest, 
prettiest,  or  best,  unless  you  are  clean."  Surely  the 
old  saying,  " Cleanliness  is  next  to  godliness,"  should 
always  be  remembered  and  unceasingly  practiced. 

In  his  interesting  autobiography,  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin tells  of  some  fellow-workmen  in  a  London  shop 
who  drank  much  alcoholic  liquor,  thinking  it  made 
them  strong.  These  English  workmen  were  greatly 
astonished  to  find  that  the  "Cold-Water  American," 
as  they  had  deridingly  dubbed  him,  because  he  drank 
no  strong  liquor,  easily  carried  printing  "forms"  that 
they  could  manage  only  with  the  greatest  difficulty. 
He  also  relates  how  he  told  them  that  they  could  get 
much  more  strength  from  eating  a  penny's  worth  of 
bread  than  from  a  quart  of  liquor  that  cost  ten  times 
as  much.  This  great  statesman  and  philosopher 
taught  many  useful  lessons,  but  none  that  were  wiser 
or  more  practical.  Truly,  this  common,  sparkling 
liquid  is  one  of  our  strongest  and  best  building  allies. 
As  the  days  and  weeks  go  by,  we  can,  if  we  will,  let 
our  knowledge  of  its  usefulness  help  to  keep  us 
healthy,  happy,  and  wise, 


CHAPTER  XX 

OUR     WONDERFUL     RIVER     OF     LIFE    AND     MARVELOUS 
TELEGRAPH   SYSTEM — THE    BLOOD  AND    THE    NERVES 

WE  have  learned  how  to  aid  Jack's  House  in  build- 
ing and  repairing  itself,  and  why  we  should  always 
keep  it  clean  and  wholesome.  Now  in  what  ways 
may  this  wonderful  house  be  protected  from  the  vari- 
ous hurts  and  diseases  that  are  likely  to  come?  As 
a  first  step  toward  an  understanding  of  this  important 
question,  let  us  get  better  acquainted  with  our  wonder- 
ful river  of  life. 

What  is  our  wonderful  river  of  life?  The  blood, 
of  course,  because  it  carries  building  material  and 
oxygen  to  every  part  of  the  body,  and  takes  away 
carbonic  acid  gas  and  other  poisons  that  would  destroy 
life.  If  our  only  way  of  getting  food  were  from  the 
delivery  wagon  that  brings  it  to  the  door,  the  amount 
we  could  have  at  our  daily  meals  would  depend  upon 
what  this  food  vehicle  brought,  and  how  regularly 
it  came. 

In  a  similar  way,  the  amount  of  building  material 
the  various  parts  of  our  bodies  receive,  depends  entirely 
upon  how  freely  and  regularly  this  wonderful  red  river 


204        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

of  life  brings  such  material  and  carries  away  the  waste 
products.  As  long  as  a  normal  supply  of  pure  blood 
continues  to  come  to  any  part  of  the  body,  that  part 
will  be  warm,  healthy,  and  vigorous ;  but  it  will  weaken 
or  die  as  the  usual  amount  lessens  or  fails  altogether. 

In  a  previous  chapter  we  read  that  the  passing  of 
the  blood  from  the  heart  through  the  arteries,  capil- 
laries, and  veins  back  to  the  heart  again  is  called  the 
circulation.  We  also  learned  that  the  pumping  or 
beating  of  the  heart  is  the  force  that  propels  the  blood, 
and  that  its  passage  is  helped  by  the  elastic  arteries 
vibrating  along  their  course. 

The  arteries  have  small  muscles  that  by  relaxing 
and  contracting  allow  these  blood  canals  to  grow  larger 
or  smaller,  thus  increasing  or  decreasing  the  amount 
that  flows  through  them  at  any  particular  time.  Ex- 
ercise of  any  part  quickly  increases  the  supply  of 
blood  there.  This  follows  because  muscles,  when 
active,  require  a  larger  amount  of  blood  than  when  at 
rest,  and  the  arteries  expand  to  allow  the  increased 
supply  to  come.  Rubbing  or  massage  also  stimulates 
the  free  flow  of  blood  in  the  part  of  the  body  to  which 
it  is  applied,  for  friction  tends  to  relax  these  little 
controlling  muscles.  Hot-water  bags  or  hot  cloths 
are  good  remedies  in  colds  or  other  congestive  troubles, 
for  applying  heat  to  any  part  of  the  body  also  causes 
the  arterial  muscles  to  expand  and  allow  a  larger 
supply  of  blood  to  pass. 

On  the  contrary,  cold,  by  contracting  the  arterial 


THE  BLOOD  AND   THE  NERVES  205 

muscles,  lessens  the  blood  supply  of  the  surface  of  the 
body.  Wet  garments,  too,  have  a  similar  effect, 
because  some  of  the  heat  of  the  body  next  them  is 
used  in  evaporating  the  water.  On  that  account, 
the  temperature  of  the  skin  is  lowered,  the  amount 
of  blood  being  made  less,  as  the  cold  contracts  the 
arterial  muscles.  Binding  the  arteries  by  wearing 
tight  garters,  belts,  corsets,  or  other  clothing  is  a 
hindrance  to  free  circulation  that  all  can  avoid.  How 
foolish  we  should  think  a  hungry  person  who  obstructed 
his  walks  or  doors  so  that  little  or  no  food  could  be 
brought  to  him  by  the  delivery  man !  Keeping  blood 
from  the  hungry  tissues  by  wearing  tight  clothing  of 
any  kind  is  just  as  unwise. 

An  acquaintance  with  our  marvelous  telegraph 
system  is  another  important  step  toward  a  better 
knowledge  of  how  we  may  protect  Jack's  House.  How 
curious  !  Have  we  really  anything  like  a  telegraph  sys- 
tem in  our  bodies?  We  certainly  have,  and  a  more 
remarkable  one  than  has  ever  been  made  by  man.  The 
central  office  is  the  brain,  and  the  main  wire,  the  spinal 
cord.  This  wire  is  protected  by  the  vertebraB  of  the 
spine  (backbone)  through  which  it  runs.  Numerous 
smaller  wires,  or  nerves,  branch  off  from  this  all  along 
its  course,  dividing  and  subdividing  until  every  part 
of  the  body,  no  matter  how  small  or  how  distant,  is 
reached.  Sub-stations,  called  ganglia,  are  situated  in 
various  parts  of  the  body,  being  especially  numerous 
in  the  back. 


206        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


The  general  arrangement  of  the  nervous  system  (viewed  from  behind). 
Showing  the  brain,  the  spinal  cord,  and  the  chief  nerves  that  branch  from  it. 


THE  BLOOD  AND   THE  NERVES 


207 


The  next  time  you  have  chicken  for  dinner,  separate 
the  vertebrae  of  its  neck,  and  notice 
the  pithy  cord  extending  through  the 
center    of    these    bones.     It    is    the 
chicken's    main    telegraph    wire,    or 
spinal  cord,  which  is  very  much  like 
ours  in  appearance,  though,  of  course,   p. 
smaller. 

The  brain,  the  ganglia,  and  the  spi- 
nal cord  with  the  thousands  of  nerves 
extending  from  it,  form  what  is  com- 
monly called  the  Nervous  System. 
When  we  see,  hear,  or  smell  any- 
thing, the  nerves  of  the  eyes,  ears, 
or  nose  carry  the  information  to  the 
brain.  When  a  feeling  of  heat,  cold, 
pain,  or  any  other  sensation  is  re- 
ceived,  the  brain  is  at  once  made 
aware  of  the  fact  through  the  nerves 
near  the  surface  of  the  body.  Nerves 
accompany  blood-vessels  everywhere 
in  the  body.  They  help  control  the 
blood  supply  by  telegraphing  to  the 
brain  the  needs  of  the  various  parts, 
and  carrying  back  to  the  arterial 
muscles  the  command  to  relax  or 
contract. 

Knowing  how   the   brain  controls  The  backbone  or  8pinal 
all    the   muscles   and    other    organs,     column— side  view. 


208        THE    WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

we  can  realize  the  importance  of  the  nervous  sys- 
tem and  be  very  careful  to  protect  it.  Although  nature 
has  strongly  fortified  the  brain  with  the  skull,  and  the 
spinal  cord  with  the  backbone,  yet  we  should  take 
especial  care  to  guard  these  regions  from  injury.  A 
hard  blow  or  a  fall  might  cripple  one  for  life. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

CLOTHING   AS    A    PROTECTION   TO   JACK'S    H*OUSE 

THE  normal  temperature  of  our  bodies,  ninety-eight 
and  six-tenths  degrees,  is  almost  always  higher  than 
that  of  the  surrounding  air.  On  this  account,  the 
heat  made  by  the  union  of  oxygen  and  bodily  tissues 
would  generally  escape  too  quickly,  if  there  were  no 
outside  covering  to  prevent.  The  fur  of  animals  and 
the  feathers  of  birds  sufficiently  regulate  the  passing 
of  their  bodily  heat.  Man,  having  only  a  thin,  delicate 
skin  for  an  outside  covering,  must  conserve  the  warmth 
produced  by  combustion  in  his  body  by  means  of 
clothing. 

People  often  speak  of  wearing  apparel  as  warm  or 
cold,  but  clothing  does  not  give  warmth  of  itself.  Its 
power  to  keep  us  warm  depends  entirely  upon  how 
slowly  or  how  rapidly  it  allows  the  heat  generated  in 
our  bodies  to  pass  away.  Feathers  and  fur  are  very 
poor  conductors  of  heat,  and  make  very  warm  clothing. 
Dry  air  not  in  motion  is  also  a  very  poor  heat  conductor. 
Consequently  cloth  having  numerous  air  spaces  makes 
warm  clothing,  while  fabrics  so  closely  woven  as  to 
contain  but  a  small  number  of  air  spaces  are  better 

p  209 


210        THE   WONDEEFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

conductors  of  heat,  and  hence  make  cooler  clothing. 
Because  of  the  non-conducting  power  of  dry  air,  two 
or  more  thin  garments  or  quilts  are  warmer  than  one 
of  thickness  equal  to  all  the  others.  For  a  similar 
reason,  a  loose  garment  is  warmer  than  a  tight-fitting 
one. 

Woolen  naturally  contains  numerous  air  spaces,  and 
so  is  warm  clothing.  Cotton,  linen,  and  silk,  being 
usually  more  closely  woven,  are  cooler  clothing.  When 
any  of  the  last  three  is  woven  into  a  mesh-like  cloth 
containing  numerous  air  spaces,  it  is  much  warmer 
clothing  than  in  the  ordinary  close  weave.  Dark- 
colored  cloth  absorbs  the  sun's  rays  to  a  much  greater 
extent  than  fabric  of  light  color,  and,  for  that  reason, 
is  warmer.  These  facts  explain  why  fur  and  woolen 
material  are  so  generally  worn  in  cold  weather,  and 
light-colored  cotton  and  linen  in  the  warm  months. 

In  a  previous  chapter,  we  read  how  the  numerous 
pores  of  the  skin  are  continually  giving  out  perspira- 
tion containing  bodily  waste  and  impurities.  On  this 
account,  most  civilized  people  wear  next  to  the  skin 
underclothing  of  such  weight  and  texture  that  it 
can  be  easily  and  frequently  washed.  Undergarments 
should  not  allow  heat  to  pass  off  too  quickly  from  our 
bodies.  Neither  should  they  prevent  its  passing 
to  such  a  degree  that  any  portion  of  the  body  will 
become  uncomfortably  warm.  Underwear  should  also 
take  up  moisture  readily  and  permit  its  rapid  evapo- 
ration. This  is  important,  because,  as  moist  air  is  a 


CLOTHING 


211 


good  conductor  of  heat,  damp  garments  quickly  cool 
the  surface  of  the  body.  Underclothing  should  also 
be  capable  of  frequent  and  thorough  cleansing  on 
account  of  the  impurities  taken  up  from  the  perspira- 
tion. 

The  fabrics  commonly  used  in  manufacturing  un- 
derwear are  woolen,  cotton,  and  linen.  Many  think 
woolen  best  for  a  cold,  damp,  or  changeable  climate, 


Picking  cotton. 

because  it  is  a  poor  conductor  of  heat,  and  does  not 
cause  colds  by  suddenly  chilling  the  body  through  too 
rapid  absorption  and  evaporation  of  perspiration. 
A  generally  admitted  objection  to  woolen  undergar- 
ments is  that  they  shrink  in  boiling  water,  and  so 
cannot  be  as  thoroughly  cleansed  as  other  fabrics. 
Even  when  carefully  washed  in  tepid  water,  they 
gradually  shrink.  Shrinking  makes  woolen  fabric 


212        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

less  porous,  till  it  becomes  a  sort  of  felt,  and  is  conse- 
quently less  desirable  for  underwear. 

Many  persons  do  not  like  woolen  underwear,  because 
its  fiber  irritates  their  skin  or  because  it  keeps  them 
uncomfortably  warm.  Cotton  is  a  fabric  often  sub- 
stituted. Unlike  woolen,  it  can  be  thoroughly  cleansed 
in  boiling  water  without  shrinking.  Being  of  closer 
weave  than  wool,  it  is  a  better  conductor  of  heat, 
and  hence  makes  cooler  clothing.  It  also  has  the  ad- 
vantage of  being  cheaper.  Cotton  mesh  underwear  is 
warmer  than  the  ordinary  close  weave  on  account 
of  the  many  spaces  it  affords  for  dry  air. 

The  so-called  Linen  Mesh  underwear  is  very  popu- 
lar with  many  who  have  worn  it.  Numerous  air 
spaces  make  this  cloth  an  excellent  regulator  of  bodily 
heat.  The  claim  is  made  that  it  absorbs  and  evapo- 
rates perspiration  much  more  readily  than  either 
woolen  or  cotton,  and  for  this  reason  interferes  less 
with  the  natural  functions  of  the  skin.  People  who 
have  changed  from  thick  woolen  to  linen  mesh,  even  in 
the  coldest  months  of  the  year,  testify  that  it  is  entirely 
satisfactory  as  regards  warmth,  and  that  they  have 
been  much  less  subject  to  colds  than  they  were  when 
wearing  woolen.  It  can  be  cleansed  in  boiling  water 
without  shrinking,  but  is  not  as  durable  as  either 
cotton  or  flannel  of  the  ordinary  weave.  It  is  also 
more  expensive  than  either.  Nevertheless,  few  who 
have  worn  linen  mesh  underwear  would  change  to 
woolen  or  cotton,  for  their  gain  in  health  and 


CLOTHING '  213 

comfort  more  than  counterbalances  the  extra  ex- 
pense. 

Underclothing  worn  in  daytime  should  not  be  kept 
on  at  night.  If  the  garments  worn  next  the  skin 
during  the  day  are  hung  at  night  where  air,  coming  in 
at  the  open  window,  can  do  its  purifying  work,  they 
will  be  cleansed  of  much  of  the  impurities  taken  up 
from  the  perspiration  during  the  day.  For  a  similar 
reason  the  nightclothing,  and  the  bed  clothes  as  well, 
should  be  thoroughly  aired  in  the  morning. 

Many  people  make  the  mistake  of  having  too  much 
covering  over  them  when  in  bed,  and  of  wearing  too 
heavy  underwear  or  outer  garments  when  dressed.  By 
using  lighter  covering,  and  less  or  thinner  clothing,  such 
persons  become  more  comfortable  and  healthy,  because 
both  the  air  and  the  skin  have  a  better  chance  to  do 
their  important  work.  The  habit  of  " bundling  up," 
especially  the  head  and  neck,  is  very  unwise.  People 
who  do  this  have  a  continual  dread  of  draughts,  and 
are  frequently  afflicted  with  colds  and  sore  throat. 
Few  who  have  tried  the  sensible  plan  of  giving  the 
air  and  skin  a  fair  chance  go  back  to  heavy  clothing 
and  the  bundling  process.  If,  for  the  sake  of  keeping 
an  overcoat  from  soiling  a  linen  collar  in  .the  colder 
months,  a  neck  scarf  is  necessary,  it  should  be  of  light 
weight  and  never  fastened  tight  enough  to  prevent  free 
circulation  of  air. 

While  old  persons  and  very  young  children  need 
more  clothing  than  others,  it  is  a  fact  that  many  little 


214        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

children,  especially,  are  often  much  too  warmly  dressed. 
Of  course  this  is  done  with  the  kind  intention  of  more 
carefully  protecting  them;  but,  other  things  being 
equal,  children  who  cannot  afford  unnecessarily  thick 
and  cumbersome  clothing,  are  more  likely  to  be  healthy 
and  vigorous  than  those  whose  supply  of  clothes  is 
unlimited.  An  old  proverb  in  regard  to  eating  says, 
" Enough  is  as  good  as  a  feast. "  The  same  is  just 
as  true  of  clothing.  With  light,  thoroughly  cleansed 
underclothing  and  enough  outer  garments  to  keep  the 
skin  warm,  one  can  be  both  healthier  and  happier  than 
if  clothed  in  the  richest  furs  and  velvets. 

The  head  is  a  part  of  the  body  that  boys  often  clothe 
too  warmly.  Nature  has  provided  hair  to  protect 
our  heads,  and  ordinarily  there  is  need  of  little  else. 
Baldness,  which  is  so  common  among  men,  is  thought 
to  result  largely  from  wearing  hats  that  fit  too  tight 
or  are  too  heavy.  These  interfere  with  the  free  cir- 
culation of  blood  in  the  scalp  and  also  keep  air  and 
sunshine  from  cleansing  and  giving  vigor  to  the  roots 
of  the  hair. 

Fond  parents  buy  fur  and  other  warm  caps  for 
children,  aiming  to  provide  the  best  possible  protection 
from  the  cold.  Their  little  ones  proudly  wear  them, 
sometimes  perhaps  with  the  feeling  that  they  are  very 
fortunate  to  possess  such  warm  caps.  Parents  do 
not  realize  that  the  unusual  weight  and  warmth  of 
this  expensive  head-gear  may  cause  the  early  thinning 
and  perhaps  even  the  entire  loss  of  the  covering  nature 


CLOTHING  215 

so  bountifully  provides.  If  they  did,  they  would,  no 
doubt,  furnish  hats  and  caps  that  give  both  blood 
and  air  a  good  chance  to  circulate. 

If  boys  wish  to  escape  future  baldness,  it  is  wise  to 
begin  taking  good  care  of  the  hair  while  very  young. 
Why  is  it  unusual  to  see  a  woman  who  has  become 
bald?  Largely  because  the  hats  girls  wear  from 
childhood  are  so  light  that  they  do  not  bind  the  head 
enough  to  interfere  with  the  circulation  of  the  blood, 
nor  do  they  keep  out  the  air.  From  this  fact  boys 
can  certainly  learn  that  their  hair  will  be  benefited 
by  going  without  hats  as  much  as  possible,  and  wear- 
ing those  of  very  light  weight  when  any  covering  for 
the  head  is  necessary.  The  oft-quoted  "Blue  Coat 
School"  of  London,  England,  furnishes  an  excellent 
example.  One  of  the  customs  of  the  boys  of  this  school 
is  not  to  wear  any  head  covering.  It  is  claimed  that 
the  health  of  the  pupils  is  not  injured,  and  that  bald- 
ness among  its  graduates  is  unknown. 

Such  an  extreme  measure  is  probably  unnecessary, 
but  its  result  in  the  case  of  the  "Blue  Coat"  boys, 
should  teach  the  value  of  wearing  very  light  hats.  Stiff, 
or  "Derby,"  and  high  silk  hats  are  among  those  that 
do  the  most  damage.  As  good  style  permits  soft  felt 
"Fedora"  hats,  except  on  special  occasions,  the  heavy 
stiff  hats  need  be  worn  but  rarely.  In  childhood,  the 
small,  light  cap  or  hat  should  at  all  times  be  preferred. 
Free  circulation  of  the  blood,  and  giving  a  chance  for 
air  and  sunshine  to  reach  the  scalp,  help  to  prevent 


216        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

excessive  dandruff,  which  is  one  of  the  chief  causes 
of  baldness.  Brushing  the  hair  vigorously  once  or 
twice  a  day  with  a  brush  that  may  be  readily  cleaned, 
and  washing  the  head  thoroughly  about  once  in  two 
weeks  with  good  soap  and  water,  are  also  excellent 
aids  in  keeping  the  scalp  healthy. 

Cold  water  every  morning  will  not  harm  the  hair, 
if  a  vigorous  rubbing  follows,  but  the  habit  of  fre- 
quently plastering  it  down  with  a  wet  brush  may  be 
injurious.  Oiling  one's  hair  daily  is  also  likely  to  do 
more  harm  than  good.  Vigorous  brushing  or  rubbing 
will  bring  out  the  natural  oil,  and  if  the  supply  of  the 
latter  is  not  sufficient,  a  little  vaseline  rubbed  in  once 
or  twice  a  week  is  the  least  expensive  and  best  sub- 
stitute. 

Boys  with  hair  so  thick  and  luxuriant  that  they 
comb  it  with  difficulty,  give  no  thought  to  the  possi- 
bility of  future  baldness.  The  idea  that  they  may 
ever  be  bald  like  some  of  their  elders,  seems  too  im- 
probable to  think  about  seriously.  Yet  no  doubt 
the  very  men  whose  heads  appear  so  unnaturally 
shiny  had  just  as  thick  hair  in  boyhood. 

Year  by  year,  as  the  circulation  in  the  scalp  grew 
weaker,  and  the  air  and  sunshine  came  less  in  contact 
with  the  roots  of  the  hair,  its  growth  became  less 
vigorous.  The  dandruff  increased  in  quantity,  and 
gradually  hairs  began  to  drop  out.  Finally  a  period 
arrived  when  the  hair  began  to  fall  out  in  larger  and 
larger  quantities,  and  in  a  few  years  baldness  was  the 


CLOTHING  217 

result.  This,  in  brief,  is  the  story  of  the  loss  of  hair 
that  almost  every  person  who  is  bald  could  tell.  If 
the  question  was  ever  given  any  attention  in  childhood 
the  thought  was,  "With  my  thick  hair  I  can  never 
be  bald  !"  How  incorrect  such  a  conclusion  is,  many 
grown  men  can  testify. 

It  is  right  that  all  should  try  to  retain  any  gift  of 
nature  that  improves  the  appearance.  The  loss  of 
much  hair  from  the  head  certainly  does  not  add  to  any 
person's  good  looks.  Health  in  the  scalp  and  hair, 
as  in  any  part  of  the  body,  helps  to  give  an  impression 
of  youth  and  vigor.  Every  boy  owes  it  to  himself 
to  form  the  habit  of  looking  out  for  the  health  of 
his  hair  early  in  childhood.  If  he  inherits  a  tendency 
to  baldness,  wearing  light  head  covering,  brushing 
and  cleansing  the  hair,  and  daily  rubbing  the  scalp 
may  all  prove  valuable  preventives.  In  fact,  care 
in  these  respects  has  helped  men  to  save  their  hair 
after  scalp  disease  had  got  a  very  good  start.  How 
fine  it  is  to  see  an  old  man  with  the  head  covering 
nature  gave  him  in  childhood,  changed  perhaps  in 
color,  but  still  vigorous  in  growth !  Any  boy  who  has 
the  good  sense  to  help  nature  preserve  her  own,  may 
keep  his  hair  thus  vigorous  and  abundant,  if  he  lives 
to  old  age. 

We  should  also  learn  to  be  wise  in  clothing  the  op- 
posite extremities  of  our  bodies,  the  feet.  The  ground 
is  an  excellent  conductor  of  heat,  for  which  reason, 
in  cold  weather,  material  that  is  a  poor  conductor 


218        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

should  separate  our  feet  from  the  earth.  Neither 
shoes  nor  stockings  should  be  any  heavier  than  is 
required  to  keep  the  feet  warm  and  dry.  It  is  impor- 
tant to  have  shoes  fit  perfectly.  When  they  bind  or 
chafe  in  any  way,  the  free  circulation  of  both  blood 
and  air  is  interfered  with,  annoying  corns  or  bunions 
often  being  the  result.  Shoes  that  are  too  large  are 
likely  to  chafe  the  skin  and  be  uncomfortable. 


An  unhygienic  shoe.  A  hygienic  shoe. 

Shoe  leather  should  always  be  pliable,  and  the  more 
porous  it  is,  the  more  healthful  it  will  be  for  the  feet, 
provided  the  latter  are  kept  warm  and  dry,  because 
a  better  circulation  of  air  is  possible  and  greater  activity 
of  the  skin  results.  On  this  account,  patent  leather 
shoes,  which  are  non-porous,  are  not  good  for  continuous 
wear.  Rubbers  should  be  worn  in  damp  or  stormy 
weather.  They  should  not,  howfever,  be  kept  on 
longer  than  is  absolutely  necessary,  for,  not  being 
porous,  they  prevent  free  circulation  of  air.  Children 
sometimes  sit  for  hours  in  school  with  their  rubbers  on, 
and  even  adults  frequently  neglect  to  remove  theirs 


CLOTHING  219 

while  in  church  or  at  an  evening  entertainment. 
Both  young  and  old  should  avoid  such  an  unwise 
practice  anywhere. 

Shoes  that  lace  are  more  hygienic  than  button  shoes, 
or  the  style  called  "Congress,"  because  they  give  the 
air  a  better  chance  to  circulate.  For  a  similar  reason, 
low  shoes,  when  the  weather  will  permit,  are  the  best 
of  all.  Shoes  should  be  neither  box  nor  narrow  toed 
in  form,  but  should  conform  to  the  natural  shape  of 
the  feet. 

High  heels  are  injurious  because  they  place  the  body 
in  an  unnatural  position.  Low  broad  heels  are  far 
handsomer  and  much  more  hygienic.  Extension  soles 
are  good  because  they  protect  the  feet.  While  wear- 
ing extremely  thick  heavy  shoes  may  often  enable 
one  to  do  without  rubbers,  it  does  not  seem  wise  to 
burden  the  feet  all  of  the  time  that  they  may  be  pro- 
tected some  of  the  time.  It  is  certainly  far  better  to 
wear  shoes  heavy  enough  to  protect  the  feet  properly 
at  ordinary  times,  and  then  put  on  light  rubbers  when 
stormy  weather  makes  extra  covering  necessary. 
Where  the  feet  sweat  easily  and  are  tender,  frequent 
changing  of  stockings  and  bathing  in  cold  water  give 
both  relief  and  strength. 

Children  are  often  so  careless  as  not  to  avoid  getting 
their  feet  wet.  They  even  purposely  wade  or  run 
through  pools  of  water  on  their  way  to  and  from  school. 
The  fun  and  excitement  of  splashing  through  the 
fascinating  water  seem  too  enticing  to  resist.  But 


220        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

how  little  fun  there  is  in  the  croup,  colds,  and  fevers 
that  often  follow !  How  many  good  times  are  missed 
through  being  kept  in  the  house  by  such  unnecessary 
illness !  Active  girls  and  boys  would  not  voluntarily 
choose  to  shut  themselves  up  in  the  house  away  from 
the  jolly  fun  of  out-of-door  sports.  They  simply  do 
not  consider  the  consequences  of  such  carelessness. 
Nor  is  loss  of  pleasure  the  only  result,  for  chronic  colds, 
catarrh,  or  even  more  serious  troubles  are  likely  to 
follow,  if  the  careless  wetting  of  feet  and  clothing  is 
often  repeated. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

HOW   TO    PROTECT    OUR  £DGED    TOOLS  —  THE    TEETH 

A  GOOD  carpenter  is  careful  to  keep  his  edged  tools 
in  the  best  possible  condition  for  preparing  building 
material.  What  part  of  Jack's  House  serves  a  pur- 
pose similar  to  the  carpenter's  sharp  tools?  Any  child 
can  easily  guess  the  teeth.  In  a  previous  chapter 
we  learned  the  importance  of  thoroughly  chewing  our 
food,  and  how  much  possible  future  illness  and  dis- 
comfort might  be  prevented  by  forming  that  habit 
early  in  life.  All  can  see  that  well-formed,  healthy 
teeth  look  better  than  those  that  are  irregular  or 
decayed.  We  also  know  that  these  ivory-like  tools 
in  our  mouths  are  useful  in  giving  distinctness  to 
speech.  For  these  and  many  other  reasons  we  should 
protect  our  teeth  so  well  that  they  will  be  efficient 
servants  as  long  as  we  live. 

But  are  not  the  form  and  regularity  of  our  teeth 
natural  characteristics  that  we  cannot  help  to  regu- 
late? Are  not  these  useful  tools  bound  to  decay  in 
time,  and,  for  this  reason,  is  there  any  use  in  trying 
to  prevent  it?  Fortunately  care  and  attention  at  the 
right  time  will  aid  in  keeping  teeth  from  being  ir- 
regular, and  daily  cleanliness  will  protect  them  from 

221 


222       THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

decay.     But  to  understand  this,  we  must  first  learn 
some  important  facts  about  their  structure  and  history. 

The  Part  of  a  tooth   outside 
the  gum  is   called  the  crown, 

•,  AU  M.U-   '  4.u 

and  the  part  within  the  gum 


>?   /H 

covering    on    the    outside    of 

the   crown   is    called    enamel, 

Showing  the  structure  of  a  tooth   ftn(^    being    the     hardest    Sub- 

stance  in  the  body,  is  well 

fitted  to  protect  the  tooth  from  injury.  Underneath 
the  enamel  and  forming  the  principal  part  of  the 
crown  is  the  dentine,  which  is  a  hard  substance,  but 
not  so  hard  as  enamel.  Both  the  roots  and  the  crown 
are  hollow,  the  space  inside  containing  the  nerve  and 
the  blood-vessels. 

Our  first  or  temporary  set,  twenty  in  number,  are  often 
called  milk  teeth.  Few  need  to  be  told  that  these  are 
followed  by  a  permanent  set  of  thirty-two.  The  cut 
on  p.  224  shows  both  milk  teeth  and  the  permanent 
set.  The  teeth  of  the  lower  jaw  are  similar  to  those 
of  the  upper  in  both  temporary  and  permanent  sets. 

The  cut  below  shows  how  appropriately  the  various 
teeth  are  named.  Incisors  mean  cutters,  and  from  their 
shape  it  can  be  seen  that  these  four  teeth  in  each  jaw 
are  well  adapted  for  cutting.  Canine  means  doglike, 
and  we  observe  that  the  two  teeth  in  each  jaw  bearing 
that  name  resemble  the  teeth  of  a  dog.  Next  to  the 
canines  on  each  side  are  the  bicuspids.  Cusp  means 


THE  TEETH 


223 


point,  and  bi  means  two,  and  each  of  the  bicuspids 
has  two  noticeable  points  or  projections.  A  glance  at 
the  twelve  largest  teeth  in  the  permanent  set  shows 
how  well  they  deserve  the  name  of  molars,  which  means 
grinders  or  crushers.  The  last  molar  on  each  side  of 
both  jaws  is  often  called  a  "wisdom  tooth/7  because  it 


Form  and  names  of  permanent  teeth.    1 , 2,  incisors ;  3,  canine ;  4,  5,  bicuspids ; 
6,  7,  8,  molars. 

usually  appears  when  one  is  from  sixteen  to  twenty- 
three  years  old,  —  several  years  later  than  the  others. 
How  fine  it  would  be  if  our  teeth  always  kept  as 
white  and  healthy  as  they  are  on  making  their  first 
appearance !  How  much  more  pleasing  they  would 
look,  and  what  a  vast  amount  of  bother  and  discom- 
fort might  be  saved !  Let  us  see  what  causes  teeth 
to  decay  and  how  we  may  help  to  prevent  it.  But 
surely  this  is  too  difficult  for  any  one  but  dentists 


224       THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

and  physicians  to  understand  !  On  the  contrary,  the 
causes  are  very  simple.  The  protective  covering, 
enamel,  is  largely  composed  of  lime  and  other  minerals 
that  dissolve  in  acid.  Food  decaying  in  the  mouth 
produces  acid  that  dissolves  some  of  the  enamel  with 
which  it  comes  in  contact,  thus  laying  the  weaker 
dentine  open  to  similar  attacks. 


U  Y>\>  er  "Fc  r  itn  aue.  *{  Tee(\\ 

i    +  A  A  +    « 


Yeftiv a/netX  \ec\\\ 
Temporary  and  permanent  teeth. 

Knowing  these  facts,  it  is  certainly  plain  that  we 
should  thoroughly  clean  our  teeth  after  each  meal,  or, 
if  this  is  not  possible,  at  least  once  a  day.  If  only  one 
cleaning  a  day  is  convenient,  just  before  going  to  bed 
at  night  is  the  best  time.  The  following  is  an  excellent 
way.  Rinse  the  mouth  with  water,  using  the  tongue  and 
muscles  of  the  face  to  force  the  cleansing  liquid  about. 
Next  crowd  dental  floss  (waxed  silk  thread)  between 


THE  TEETH  225 

the  teeth  to  remove  all  food  particles  that  may  have 
lodged  between  them.  Rinse  the  mouth  again,  and 
then  use  a  tooth-brush,  moving  it  from  the  roots  up 
and  down  rather  than  crosswise.  The  latter  motion, 
instead  of  removing  the  food  particles,  is  likely  to 
deposit  them  between  the  teeth,  which  is  the  very 
thing  to  be  avoided.  Rinse  the  mouth  again  with 
water,  and  usually  the  teeth  will  be  thoroughly 
cleansed. 

A  tooth  powder  recommended  by  a  reliable  dentist 
may  be  an  excellent  help  in  the  cleansing  process. 
However,  as  some  preparations  are  said  to  be  harm- 
ful, none  should  be  used  unless  one  is  sure  it  will  not 
do  injury.  Plain  precipitate  of  chalk  makes  an  inex- 
pensive but  excellent  tooth  powder. 

Using  dental  floss  is  a  very  important  part  of  teeth 
cleaning.  If  only  a  brush  is  used,  food  is  likely  to 
remain  between  the  teeth,  especially  when  the  latter 
are  close  together.  White  linen  machine  thread  No. 
35  is  cheaper  than  dental  floss,  and  answers  the  pur- 
pose even  better,  except  when  one's  teeth  are  too  close 
together  to  admit  it.  In  such  cases,  running  the 
thread  over  wax  may  cause  it  to  slip  between  the  teeth 
readily.  Sometimes  persons  who  use  a  tooth-brush 
three  or  four  times  a  day  wonder  why,  in  spite  of  their 
care,  frequent  visits  to  the  dentist  are  necessary. 
Often  it  is  because  the  cleaning  they  have  done  has 
not  removed  the  food  particles  from  between  the 
teeth.  The  use  of  dental  floss  or  thread  and  a  little 


226        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

more  rinsing  would  have  made  a  better  job,  and  very 
likely  have  prevented  much  of  the  trouble. 

Limewater,  milk  of  magnesia,  water  in  which  some 
bicarbonate  has  been  dissolved,  or  some  specially 
prepared  mouth  wash  may  be  profitably  used  for  the 
last  rinsing.  All  are  alkalies  and  neutralize  acid, — 
that  is,  they  make  the  acid  powerless  to  have  any 
solvent  effect  upon  the  teeth.  If  used  just  before 
retiring,  they  help  prevent  decay  during  the  night. 
Where  the  tooth  powder  used  leaves  a  slightly  alkaline 
reaction,  that  of  itself  will  usually  be  sufficient.  Plain 
precipitate  of  chalk,  being  alkaline,  fulfills  this  purpose. 

But  even  with  the  best  care  daily,  all  decay  may  not 
be  prevented;  and  as  a  diseased  tooth  may  infect 
those  adjoining,  much  injury  may  be  done.  Having 
one's  dentist  examine  the  teeth  at  least  once  in  six 
months  is  an  excellent  safeguard.  Usually  a  charge 
is  not  made  if  an  examination  shows  no  work  is  neces- 
sary ;  and  if  cavities  are  discovered,  the  more  quickly 
they  are  filled  the  better.  How  foolish  some  people 
are  to  put  off  visiting  the  dentist  because  they  dread 
the  possible  pain !  If  one  goes  when  the  cavity  is 
first  started,  the  dentist's  work  may  cause  little  or  no 
pain.  The  larger  the  cavity  and  the  nearer  it  gets  to 
the  hollow  part  of  the  tooth,  the  more  painful  the 
filling  process  may  be. 

If  a  cavity  continues  uncared  for  long  enough,  a 
peculiar  sensation  is  felt  when  cold  water  or  food  comes 
in  contact  with  it.  When  the  nerve  becomes  exposed, 


THE   TEETH  227 

the  pain  is  so  great  that  going  to  the  dentist  is  usually 
a  necessity.  The  result  often  is  that  the  patient, 
dreading  the  pain  and  bother  of  the  filling,  or  thinking 
that  the  tooth  is  too  far  gone  to  warrant  the  expense 
of  such  work,  has  it  pulled  out.  By  having  the  teeth 
examined  twice  a  year,  and  going  to  a  dentist  as  soon 
as  there  is  reason  to  believe  a  cavity  has  been  started, 
such  misfortunes  may  be  prevented. 

A  hard,  yellowish  substance  called  tartar  often  col- 
lects on  teeth.  If  allowed  to  remain,  it  will  crowd  the 
gums  away  and  cause  the  teeth  to  become  loose.  Be- 
sides it  makes  the  teeth  look  unclean  and  is  likely  to 
cause  an  unpleasant  breath.  Tartar  will  often  collect 
in  spite  of  the  most  careful  brushing.  For  this  reason 
we  should  have  the  dentist  remove  it  twice  a  year 
when  the  teeth  are  examined. 

But  acid  is  not  the  only  cause  of  tooth  disease. 
Building  material  supplied  by  our  wonderful  river  of 
life,  the  blood,  must  contain  lime  and  other  salts 
needed  to  replenish  all  parts  of  the  teeth.  Unless 
our  food  contains  such  materials,  the  blood  cannot  fur- 
nish them.  Bread  and  breakfast  foods  made  of  entire 
grain  are  especially  well  stocked  with  these  salts. 
White-flour  foods  do  not  contain  them,  because  the 
coarser  parts  of  the  grain  which  have  this  mineral 
matter  are  not  utilized  in  their  manufacture.  Milk, 
eggs,  meat,  vegetables,  —  in  fact,  nearly  all  foods  de- 
scribed in  previous  chapters  as  wholesome  and  nour- 
ishing, are  good  teeth  builders.  Non-nutritious  or 


228       THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

indigestible  foods,  especially  candies  or  other  sweets, 
should  not  be  eaten  much  by  those  who  wish  to  have 
good  teeth. 

Like  all  other  parts  of  the  body,  our  teeth,  to  be 
healthy,  must  have  good  circulation  of  the  blood. 
Active  exercise  helps  their  circulation  just  as  it  does 
that  of  any  other  organ  of  the  body.  This  is  an 
excellent  reason  for  thorough  mastication,  as  well  as 
for  eating  foods  that  require  a  great  deal  of  chewing. 
An  adult  who  lives  largely  on  soft  foods  is  likely  to 
have  poor  teeth  from  lack  of  proper  exercise,  if  for 
no  other  reason.  It  is  a  mistake  to  cut  up  food  in 
very  small  pieces  for  a  child  after  its  teeth  are  able  to 
do  their  work  properly,  and  the  little  one  can  be  made 
to  understand  that  he  must  chew  food  thoroughly 
before  it  is  swallowed.  Parents  sometimes  neglect  to 
give  any  instruction  to  children  who  are  beginning  to 
eat  solid  food,  and  themselves  set  the  example  of  too 
rapid  eating.  Some  even  reprove  young  members  of 
the  family  who  have  the  habit  of  eating  slowly. 

How  fortunate  are  little  folks  whose  parents  insist 
on  thorough  mastication  of  food  from  the  beginning ! 
Habits  formed  early  are  likely  to  remain  through  life. 
Proper  exercise  will  result  in  healthier  teeth  and  great 
benefit  to  the  digestive  organs.  The  habit  of  over- 
eating will  not  be  formed,  because,  if  food  is  thoroughly 
chewed,  the  sense  of  taste  is  satisfied  when  enough  has 
been  taken  to  supply  the  real  building  and  fuel  needs 
of  the  tissues.  Another  good  point  to  know  is  that 


THE   TEETH  229 

when  teeth  show  weakness  and  seem  not  to  be  well 
nourished,  rubbing  the  gums  a  few  times  a  day  will 
often  improve  the  circulation  and  result  in  general 
benefit. 

But  surely  it  is  not  necessary  to  bother  about  keep- 
ing the  milk  teeth  clean,  when,  at  the  most;  they  serve 
such  a  short  period  !  This  is  a  mistaken  idea  which 
many  people  have.  The  milk  teeth  should  be  kept 
clean  from  the  beginning.  They  should  also  be  fre- 
quently examined  by  a  dentist,  and  any  cavities 
promptly  filled.  What  a  waste  of  time  and  money 
such  care  seems  to  be  !  Not  so,  when  we  consider  the 
damage  that  may  follow  if  they  are  allowed  to  decay 
or  are  removed  too  early.  The  upper  central  incisors 
usually  come  into  a  baby's  mouth  about  the  fifth  or 
sixth  month.  The  other  milk  teeth  keep  coming 
gradually,  the  second  molars,  which  appear  from  the 
twenty-first  to  the  thirty-sixth  month,  being  the  last. 
The  first  of  the  permanent  set,  the  sixth-year  molars, 
appear,  as  a  rule,  about  the  sixth  year.  They  usually 
come  before  any  of  the  milk  teeth  are  lost,  and,  for 
this  reason,  are  often  thought  to  be  temporary.  How- 
ever, if  the  number  counted  in  either  jaw  is  more  than 
ten,  one  may  be  sure  the  new  arrival  is  a  permanent 
tooth. 

The  incisors,  bicuspids,  canines,  and  second  molars 
of  the  permanent  set  come  in  from  the  seventh  to  the 
thirteenth  years.  As  all  the  permanent  teeth  come 
in,  the  roots  of  the  first  teeth  are  gradually  absorbed 


230        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

by  the  blood,  while  their  crowns  are  forced  out  as  the 
permanent  teeth  appear.  From  these  facts  we  can  see 
that  several  of  the  second  set  of  teeth  may  be  in  the 
mouth  before  all  of  the  first  set  have  been  removed. 
So,  if  the  latter  are  allowed  to  decay,  the  disease 
may  be  given  to  the  newly  arrived  second  teeth  and 
great  damage  done  them.  Too  great  pains  cannot  be 
taken  with  the  sixth-year  molars,  for  dentists  find  that 
these  are  often  the  first  to  become  diseased.  Care- 
lessness with  them  may  cause  much  trouble  in  the 
future. 

The  regularity  of  the  permanent  teeth  may  also  be 
changed  by  losing  the  milk  teeth  before  their  natural 
time.  How  may  -this  happen?  Let  us  imagine  a 
case.  Because  one  of  a  child's  canine  teeth  has  been 
allowed  to  become  badly  decayed,  it  is  pulled.  Now 
the  first  bicuspids  of  the  permanent  set  are  pushing 
their  way  through,  but,  since  there  is  a  vacant  space 
next  to  them,  they  crowd  out  in  that  direction,  as 
it  is  the  path  of  least  resistance.  This  tooth  getting 
out  of  position  may  cause  others  to  change  their 
direction,  and  so  the  set  of  second  teeth  is  much  less 
regular  and  beautiful  than  it  might  have  been  had  the 
milk  teeth  received  proper  care. 

Some  little  children,  while  teething,  get  comfort  from 
continually  sucking  a  thumb  or  something  similar. 
Parents  allow  this  because  it  helps  to  keep  little  ones 
from  being  fretful.  The  practice  should  not  be  per- 
mitted, for;  by  pressing  the  teeth,  it  causes  an  ill- 


THE   TEETH  231 

shaped  mouth.  The  habit  of  constantly  sucking  in 
the  lower  lip  is  harmful  for  a  similar  reason.  Sucking 
the  thumb  may  be  prevented  by  tying  something 
around  it  that  will  make  it  too  large  to  be  admitted 
to  the  mouth.  To  stop  lip  sucking,  doctors  sometimes 
insert  a  piece  of  rubber  between  the  lips  and  teeth. 
As  we  have  learned  in  a  previous  chapter,  the  habit 
of  constant  mouth  breathing  also  causes  a  similarly 
deformed  appearance.  It  is  now  possible  to  have  an 
irregular  set  of  teeth  straightened  by  a  dentist.  Of 
course  this  should  be  done  as  soon  as  possible  after 
the  principal  permanent  teeth  have  come  in. 

Thus  far  we  have  read  about  what  to  do  to  keep  the 
teeth  clean  and  healthy.  Let  us  now  consider  some 
things  not  to  do.  Cracking  nuts  with  our  teeth'  or  bit- 
ing any  substance  harder  than  food  should  be  avoided. 
Biting  thread  is  an  injurious  habit  which  girls  especially 
need  to  guard  against.  The  great  force  exerted  to 
bite  the  thread  often  injures  the  enamel  of  the  under 
teeth.  Such  use  of  our  edged  tools  may  break  the 
enamel  and  cause  serious  injury.  Pins  or  any  metallic 
substances  are  likely  to  scratch  the  enamel  and  do 
permanent  damage.  For  this  reason,  picking  the 
teeth  with  any  sharp  or  pointed  metal  is  unwise.  In 
a  previous  chapter  we  learned  that  heat  expands 
and  cold  contracts  air.  Both  have  a  similar  effect 
on  the  enamel  of  teeth.  On  this  account,  a  hot  food 
or  drink  should  not  be  immediately  followed  by  one 
that  is  cold,  and  vice  versa.  When  expansion  and  con- 


232       THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

traction  follow  each  other  too  closely,  the  enamel  is 
often  injured. 

Medicines  containing  iron  or  acids  often  injure 
teeth,  and,  for  this  reason,  should  be  taken  through  a 
tube.  The  fact  is,  unless  the  doctor  pronounces  the 
liquid  harmless  to  teeth,  this  is  a  good  precaution  in 
taking  any  medicine.  Another  thing  builders  of  good 
teeth  will  especially  avoid  is  eating  much  candy  or 
other  sweets,  for  this  practice  is  likely  to  dissolve  the 
enamel.  The  noticeably  bad  teeth  of  people  who 
frequently  eat  candy  is  the  best  proof  of  this  state- 
ment. Smoking  or  chewing  tobacco  also  discolors  the 
enamel  of  teeth.  This  is  another  excellent  reason  for 
not  forming  either  of  these  habits. 

How  much  beautiful,  healthy  teeth  are  admired! 
How  greatly  such  edged  tools  may  aid  in  keeping  the 
body  strong  and  well !  How  they  add  to  the  fine 
appearance  of  those  who  have  been  wise  enough  to 
preserve  them !  No  person  is  so  handsome  or  so 
homely  that  good  teeth  cannot  improve  or  poor 
teeth  lessen  his  attractiveness.  No  one  is  so  strong 
that  his  health  cannot  be  weakened  by  diseased  teeth, 
nor  so  weak  that  sound  teeth  may  not  be  a  source  of 
strength.  Are  we  wisely  building  and  preserving 
our  permanent  teeth?  Surely  any  who  are  careless 
of  edged  tools  that  do  such  important  work  are, 
indeed,  foolish  builders. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

THE  EYES  AND  HOW  TO  PROTECT  THEM 

THE  special  senses,  seeing,  hearing,  touching,  tast- 
ing, and  smelling,  might  be  called  the  windows  of  Jack's 
House.  These  are  all  of  great  use  to  our  bodies,  but 
nothing  takes  more  from  the  real  joy  of  living  than  the 
loss  of  sight.  Not  to  see  our  friends  and  the  beautiful 
world  about  us !  Not  to  be  able  to  run,  play,  read, 
write,  or  do  any  work  that  requires  seeing !  Think 
how  heavily  time  would  hang,  and  what  would  be 
taken  from  every  hour's  pleasure  by  such  a  misfor- 
tune !  How  much  is  lost  even  by  seeing  indistinctly, 
or  by  being  limited  as  to  our  amount  of  reading  and 
other  close  work  !  We  need  only  try  to  do  something 
with  the  eyes  closed  to  realize  how  dependent  we  are 
on  them  every  waking  moment.  In  fact,  the  eyes  are 
so  valuable  that  our  highest  success  and  happiness  in 
life  depend  largely  upon  how  much  and  how  well 
they  can  be  used. 

To  keep  any  machine  in  the  best  condition  for  use, 
we  should  know  the  important  things  about  its  struc- 
ture and  working;  and  the  same  is  true  of  our  eyes, 


234        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


This  page  shows  a  view  of   the  eye  as  it  would  ap- 
pear if  cut  into  two  equal  parts,  as  one  might  divide 

an  apple,  and  if 
the  flat,  cut  surface 
were  held  up  to 
view. 

By  examining  it 
we  can  see  that  the 
eye  has  three  coats, 
two  humors,  and  a 
lens.  The  sides  and 
back  of  the  outside 
coat,  marked  scle- 
rotic but  commonly 
known  as  the 
" white  of  the  eye," 
are  strong  and  opaque  and  serve  as  a  protection.  The 
front  part  of  the  outside  coat,  the  cornea,  fits  into 
the  sclerotic  or  white  somewhat  as  a  watch  crystal  is 
set  in  its  case.  It  is  strong  like  the  white,  but  differs 
in  being  transparent. 

The  -second  or  middle  coat  contains  many  blood- 
vessels and  pigment  cells.  It  serves  to  absorb  super- 
fluous light.  The  back  and  sides  of  this  middle  coat 
are  called  the  choroid.  Its  front  part,  the  iris,  gives 
color  and  beauty  to  the  eye,  and  is  the  curtain  that 
softens  the  light  entering  it.  When  babies  are  born, 
the  iris  is  usually  blue,  but  it  often  changes  to  harmonize 
with  the  complexion  of  the  person,  a  brunette,  as  a 


Artery 
Optic  nerve 


A  Section  through  the  Eyeball. 


THE  EYES  235 

rule,  having  dark  eyes,  and  a  blonde,  eyes  of  a  light 
color. 

By  looking  into  a  mirror  we  can  see  a  little  hole  in 
the  iris  which  lets  the  rays  of  light  pass  into  the  inner 
eye.  This  little  round  door,  called  the  pupil,  is  con- 
trolled by  some  wonderful  muscles  which  have  the 
power  of  contracting,  or  making  it  grow  smaller,  when 
the  light  is  strong,  and  expanding,  or  making  it  become 
larger,  as  the  light  grows  weaker.  All  may  have  noticed 
that  on  coming  suddenly  into  bright  light,  the  eyes 
squint.  This  results  from  the  quick  effort  of  the 
muscles  to  protect  the  eye. 

In  the  cut  on  page  234  we  notice  that  in  front  of  the 
iris  is  the  aqueous  (watery)  humor,  which  seems  to  keep 
the  cornea  bulged  out.  Back  of  the  iris  we  also  see 
a  convex-shaped  humor  called  the  crystalline  lens, 
which  performs  the  same  work  as  the  lens  of  a  camera, 
for  its  office  is  to  bring  the  rays  of  light  to  a  focus  on 
the  retina.  The  latter,  we  observe  in  the  same  illus- 
tration, is  the  innermost  coat  of  the  eye.  We  also  see 
that  between  the  lens  and  the  retina  there  is  the  vitreous 
humor.  This  is  a  jellylike  substance,  occupying  about 
four-fifths  of  the  interior  of  the  eyeball.  It  is  color- 
less and  transparent,  and  besides  maintaining  the 
form  of  the  eyeball,  helps  to  protect  the  sensitive  retina. 
The  optic  nerve,  which  the  picture  shows  extending 
from  the  back  of  the  eye,  transmits  to  the  brain  the 
impressions  received  by  the  retina. 

Comparing  the  eye  to  a  camera  helps  us  to  under- 


236        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

stand  how  we  see.  The  pupil  of  the  eye  serves  the 
same  purpose  as  the  little  hole  in  the  camera  which 
is  uncovered  to  let  in  the  light  while  a  picture  is  being 
taken.  The  crystalline  lens  of  the  eye  corresponds 
to  the  glass  lens  of  the  camera,  and  the  retina  to  the 
sensitive  plate  or  film  on  which  the  impression  or 
picture  is  taken.  This  sensitive  plate  or  film  is  taken 
from  the  camera,  and  the  picture  developed  or  brought 
out.  But  in  our  eyes,  the  optic  nerve  transmits  each 
impression  received  on  the  retina  to  the  brain,  so 
the  same  sensitive  plate,  the  retina,  is  used  all  the 
time. 

Perhaps  we  know  that  after  the  sensitive  plate,  or 
film,  has  been  taken  out  of  a  camera,  and  developed 
so  that  the  picture  is  visible,  it  is  called  a  negative. 
We  may  also  be  familiar  with  the  fact  that  a  negative 
will  not  be  clear  unless  the  rays  of  light  entering  the 
camera  are  brought  to  a  focus  exactly  as  they  reach  the 
sensitive  plate  or  film.  The  same  thing  is  true  of  the 
eye.  Vision  is  not  clear  and  distinct  unless  the  rays  of 
light  are  brought  to  a  focus  exactly  on  reaching  the 
retina.  If  they  are  focused  before  or  after  reaching 
the  retina,  sight  is  more  or  less  blurred. 

When  we  are  gazing  at  a  distant  object,  if  our  eyes 
are  neither  nearsighted  nor  farsighted,  the  rays  of 
light  entering  the  eye  are  focused  on  the  retina  as 
seen  in  the  cut  on  page  237  without  effort  on  our 
part ;  but  if  we  look  at  near  objects,  as  in  reading  and 
writing,  an  effort  of  the  eye  is  necessary  to  focus  the 


THE  EYES 


237 


Parallel  Rays  fo- 
cused on  the 
Retina. 


rays  of  light.     Otherwise  they  would  reach  the  retina 
without  coming  to  a  focus  at  all. 

Rays  of  light  from  a  distance  enter  the  eye  in 
parallel  lines,  but  the  natural  convex  shape  of  the 
crystalline  lens  in  a  normal  eye  brings 
them  to  a  focus  on  the  retina.  Rays 
of  light  from  small  objects  do  not  enter 
the  eye  in  parallel  lines,  but  an  effort 
of  the  muscles  is  necessary  to  make 
the  crystalline  lens  convex  enough  to 
bring  these  divergent  rays  to  a  focus 
on  the  retina.  The  eye  has  muscles 
that  do  the  important  work  of  making 
this  lens  become  more  convex  when  it  is 
necessary.  The  more  convex  a  lens  is, 
whether  it  is  the  natural  one  in  the  eye,  or  a  glass 
lens  in  spectacles,  the  greater  is  its  power  to  bend 
divergent  rays  to  meet  at  a  point. 

When  a  normal  eye  looks  at  distant  objects,  these 
muscles  are  at  rest,  because  the  convexity  of  the  crys- 
talline lens  is  sufficient  to  focus  the  rays  of  light  on 
the  retina.  In  looking  at  near  objects,  however, 
as  in  reading,  writing,  sewing,  and  every  kind  of  work 
requiring  close  examination,  these  muscles  are  brought 
into  use.  Although  they  are  involuntary  (that  is, 
they  work  without  our  willing  it),  effort  is  required 
to  keep  the  lens  adjusted  for  work  which  has  to  be 
held  close  to  the  eyes.  On  this  account,  it  is  restful 
to  the  eyes  when  using  them  for  such  work,  oc- 


238        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

casionally  to  gaze  off  as  far  as  possible  into  the  dis- 
tance, for  during  such  an  interval  these  muscles  are 
completely  relaxed.  Forming  this  habit  is  one  of 
the  best  ways  to  help  keep  the  eyes  strong  and  vig- 
orous, for  occasional  complete  rest  has  the  same  good 
effect  on  them  that  it  has  on  other  organs  of  the 
body. 

Another  muscular  effort  necessary  in  using  the  eyes 
for  close  work  is  convergence.  By  this  is  meant  turning 
the  eyeballs  inward  so  that  both  may  look  at  the  same 
object  at  the  same  time.  By  holding  a  small  object 
three  or  four  inches  from  the  eyes  and  looking  at  it 
closely,  the  effort  to  turn  the  eyes  inward  can  be 
distinctly  noticed,  and,  if  continued,  the  act  will 
soon  become  painful.  Whenever  the  range  of  vision 
for  close  work  changes,  both  of  these  sets  of  muscles 
have  to  accommodate  the  form  of  the  lens  and  the 
position  of  the  eyeballs  to  correspond  with  the  size 
and  position  of  what  is  being  examined. 

The  ability  of  the  eye  to  make  these  changes  is 
often  spoken  of  as  its  power  of  accommodation.  In 
health,  these  muscles  in  a  normal  eye  work  together 
in  perfect  harmony ;  but  if  either  set  becomes  weakened, 
they  do  not  work  well  together,  and  weak  or  painful 
sight  is  the  result.  From  these  facts,  it  can  be  readily 
seen  that  the  usual  cause  of  weak  sight  in  persons 
having  otherwise  normal  eyes,  is  that  these  muscles 
have  been  made  tired  and  sensitive  by  overwork. 
Now,  the  accommodation  muscles  in  normal  eyes  are 


THE  EYES 


239 


not  used  in  looking  at  a  distance,  and  they  must  be  em- 
ployed in  close  work.  Therefore  if  one's  eyes  feel  weak 
and  painful,  the  very  best  way  to  improve  and  cure 
them  is  to  do  the  least  possible  amount  of  close  work, 
and  frequently  use  the  eyes  in  distant  vision.  If,  while 
studying,  we  look  away  into  the  distance  during 
the  necessary  periods  of  thinking,  the  eyes  will  be 

rested  and  the  think-    , . 

ing    power    improved 
at  the  same  time. 

The  following  points 
should  also  be  care- 
fully observed  by  all 
who  would  protect 
and  preserve  their 
eyes.  See  that  the 
light  for  reading, 
sewing,  and  similar 
occupations  is  always 
sufficient,  and  that  it 
falls  properly  upon 
the  work.  Do  not 
use  the  eyes  for  close 

work  while  facing  either  the  sun  or  artificial  light. 
The  light  should  come  from  behind  and  above,  and, 
when  one  is  writing,  preferably  from  the  left  side 
for  those  who  are  right-handed,  as  a  shadow  is  cast 
by  any  object  coming  between  our  source  of  light  and 
the  surface  at  which  we  are  looking.  We  should  not 


Correct  Position  for  Reading. 


240        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

do  close  work  by  bright  sunlight,  as  it  is  likely  to  injure 
the  eyes.  When  one's  eyes  feel  uncomfortable  be- 
cause of  the  reflection  of  intense  sunlight  from  sand, 
snow,  or  any  other  light  surface,  the  protecting  power 
of  the  iris  should  be  supplemented  by  wearing  colored 
plane  glasses.  Where  such  care  is  not  taken,  eyes  may 
become  so  irritated  and  sensitive  that  it  is  necessary 
to  remain  days  or  weeks  in  a  dark  room.  Even 
blindness  sometimes  results  from  such  exposure. 

One  should  not  wear  colored  glasses  where  intense 
sunlight  does  not  make  it  necessary,  unless  so  advised 
by  an  oculist,  for  the  eyes  may  be  weakened  by  such 
subdued  light.  It  is  also  unwise  to  do  close  work  by 
twilight,  since  the  changing  light  necessitates  rapid 
change  in  the  accommodation  of  the  eyes.  Besides, 
the  light  often  becomes  insufficient  before  the  fact 
is  noticed. 

Any  light  used  in  reading  should  be  strong  and 
steady,  because  a  flickering  light  makes  the  muscles 
work  unnecessarily  hard.  Artificial  light  is  much 
more  trying  than  daylight.  On  this  account,  when 
our  eyes  feel  weak  and  tired,  we  should  use  them 
as  little  as  possible  in  the  evening.  A  complete  rest 
from  such  occupations,  even  for  a  day,  will  often  give 
great  relief.  It  is  much  easier  for  the  muscles  of 
accommodation,  if  any  close  work  we  are  doing  is  kept 
in  a  firm,  steady  position.  For  this  reason,  reading 
while  riding  on  a  car  or  any  moving  vehicle  is  trying 
to  the  eyes,  as  the  jar  resulting  from  the  motion  con- 


THE  EYES  241 

tinually  changes  the  position  of  the  book  or  paper, 
making  frequent  change  in  accommodation  necessary. 
One  should  at  least  be  particular  to  read  only  good 
print  at  such  a  time. 

An  erect  position  of  the  body  is  best  for  close  work. 
When  we  read  in  a  stooping  position,  the  circulation 
of  blood  in  the  eye  is  interfered  with  and  vision  is 
made  more  difficult.  For  the  same  reasons  we  should 
be  careful  not  to  let  what  we  are  reading  lie  flat  on 
the  table  or  desk  but  should  always  hold  it  up  toward 
the  level  of  the  eyes.  This  is  a  very  important  caution 
to  keep  in  mind.  One  has  but  to  compare  the  ease 
of  reading  in  the  two  positions  to  realize  how  very 
much  harder  it  is  for  the  eyes  when  the  book  or  paper 
lies  on  the  desk.  Short-sightedness  and  other  disorders 
may  be  started  by  neglecting  to  be  careful  in  these 
respects. 

The  habit  of  reading  while  lying  down,  especially 
by  artificial  light,  may  be  the  cause  of  much  serious 
eye  trouble,  for  in  this  position  the  muscles  are 
given  far  more  difficult  work  than  they  would  nor- 
mally have.  We  should  also  be  very  careful  not  to 
use  our  eyes  for  close  work  when,  because  of  illness, 
the  rest  of  the  body  is  in  a  weak  condition.  It  is  not 
reasonable  to  expect  the  muscles  of  the  eye  to  be  strong 
at  a  time  when  the  other  muscles  of  the  body  are 
weak.  For  a  similar  reason,  delicate  children  should 
not  begin  to  attend  school  until  they  grow  strong, 
because  the  muscles  of  the  eye,  like  the  rest  of  the 


242        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

body,  are  weak.  If,  when  in  this  condition,  the 
eyes  are  given  the  extra  strain  that  naturally  at- 
tends school  work,  they  may  easily  be  permanently 
injured. 

From  every  standpoint  it  is  far  better  for  weak, 
sickly  children  to  postpone  entering  school  until  they 
become  well  and  strong.  The  time  lost  by  so  doing 
will  soon  be  made  up,  and  they  will  not  be  crippled 
for  life  by  weakness  of  the  eyes.  Many  people  with 
painfully  weak  sight  could  trace  it  either  to  reading 
while  recovering  from  some  illness,  or  to  entering 
school  when  they  were  weak,  sickly  children.  Girls 
sometimes  injure  their  eyes  by  doing  needle-work  on 
dark  materials  by  artificial  light.  Such  work  is  very 
trying  to  the  eyes,  and  should  be  done  only  by  day- 
light. Another  practice  of  the  feminine  sex  that  may 
prove  injurious  is  that  of  wearing  veils,  especially 
those  that  are  thick  or  spotted.  Surely  few  will 
dispute  that  anything  in  the  way  of  style  or  appear- 
ance gained  by  wearing  such  articles  would  indeed 
prove  costly,  if  it  injured  in  the  least  the  precious 
power  of  seeing. 

In  a  previous  paragraph  the  importance  of  screening 
the  eyes  from  the  glare  of  intense  light  was  mentioned. 
One  should  take  special  pains  not  to  expose  his  eyes 
to  a  very  bright  light  after  having  been  in  darkness, 
for,  in  spite  of  the  contraction  of  the  pupils,  severe 
injury  and  even  blindness  have  been  known  to  follow. 
Sometimes  it  is  necessary  to  adjust  a  very  bright  light, 


THE  EYES  243 

but,  in  doing  this,  one  can  protect  the  eyes  with  the 
other  hand.  We  should  be  careful  not  to  look  through 
a  microscope  or  any  other  optical  instrument  for  too 
extended  a  time,  as  it  is  very  trying  to  the  eyes. 

When  our  eyes  feel  uncomfortable,  they  should  not 
be  rubbed  with  the  warm  hand,  but  bathed  in  cold 
water.  Rubbing  is  likely  to  add  to  the  irritation,  while 
cold  water  cleanses  and  refreshes.  On  rising  each 
morning,  or  after  a  nap,  bathing  the  eyes  in  cold 
water  is  an  excellent  practice.  Cold  water  has  the 
same  bracing,  refreshing  effect  on  the  eyes  that  it  has 
on  other  parts  of  the  body,  and  so  the  bath  furnishes 
an  excellent  stimulus  for  any  work  that  is  to  follow. 

Especial  care  should  be  taken  with  the  eyes  of 
infants.  Shortly  after  birth  their  eyes  are  sometimes 
sore  and  give  an  unpleasant  discharge.  At  such  times 
a  physician  should  always  be  consulted  and  his  direc- 
tions should  be  faithfully  followed,  or  blindness  may 
result.  It  is  estimated  that  one-tenth  of  all  blindness 
is  due  to  lack  of  attention  to  this  discharge  from  the 
eyes  of  infants.  In  a  recent  report.  Dr.  F.  Park 
Lewis,  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  New 
York  State  Asylum  for  Blind  Children  at  Batavia, 
states  that  of  one  hundred  forty-nine  patients  in 
that  institution,  thirty-nine  per  cent  or  almost  four- 
tenths  were  blind  because  this  discharge  of  their  eyes 
in  early  infancy  was  neglected.  The  right  solution 
applied  at  the  right  time  will  stop  the  discharge  and 
save  the  eyes.  Parents  would  not  neglect  to  call  a 


244        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

physician  at  such  a  time  if  they  realized  the  possible 
danger.  Care  should  also  be  taken  that  none  of  this 
discharge  gets  to  the  eyes  of  other  members  of  the 
family,  as  the  disease  is  contagious.  The  eyes  of 
young  babies  should  at  all  times  be  screened  from 
strong  light,  for,  as  the  tiny  beings  are  too  helpless 
to  protect  themselves,  the  delicate  tissues  of  their 
eyes  may  be  greatly  injured. 

Some  diseases  are  accompanied  by  a  discharge, 
which,  if  it  comes  in  contact  with  the  eyes  of  other 
persons,  will  cause  the  same  disease.  The  cloths  used 
to  cleanse  the  eyes  or  wipe  the  faces  of  persons  having 
such  a  discharge  should  on  this  account  be  washed 
separately  or  burned,  and,  of  course,  no  one  else  should 
use  them.  This  is  one  reason  why  it  is  dangerous  to 
wipe  one's  face  on  a  towel  in  a  public  place.  We  do 
not  know  what  disease  others  who  previously  used  the 
towel  may  have  had,  or  what  injurious  germs  we 
may  take  from  it.  Of  course,  where  individual  towels 
are  available,  as  they  now  are  in  the  public  rooms 
of  many  good  hotels,  such  danger  does  not  exist. 
Any  disease  of  children's  eyes  causing  a  discharge 
should  receive  the  immediate  attention  of  a  physician. 
This  is  a  matter  which  may  possibly  have  such  serious 
consequences  that  parents  should  not,  under  any 
circumstances,  neglect  it. 

As  distant  vision  rests  the  eyes,  and  near  vision 
causes  greater  exertion,  care  should  be  taken  not  to 
make  their  work  unnecessarily  difficult  by  holding 


THE  EYES  245 

what  we  are  reading  too  near.  The  printed  page  should 
not  be  held  nearer  than  is  necessary  to  make  the  print 
perfectly  sharp  and  distinct.  Type  not  readily  made 
out  when  held  eighteen  inches  from  the  eyes,  should 
not  be  read  continuously  even  by  persons  who  are  not 
nearsighted.  The  spacing  and  the  paper  are  also 
important,  as  well  as  the  size  of  the  type.  If  too  little 
space  is  left  between  words,  they  appear  to  run  to- 
gether, thus  making  the  print  indistinct.  White, 
glazed  paper  may  be  injurious  because  of  its  glare. 

Other  things  being  equal,  books  and  newspapers 
should  be  chosen  in  which  the  print  is  readily  legible. 
A  few  cents  more  for  reading  matter  of  such  character 
are  indeed  well  invested,  because  of  the  strain  that  is 
spared  the  muscles  of  the  eyes.  One  of  the  very  best 
things  about  penmanship  as  now  taught  in  our  schools 
is  the  benefit  both  teachers  and  pupils  derive  from  the 
greater  ease  with  which  written  exercises  can  be  read. 
By  acquiring  a  plain,  legible  style  of  handwriting, 
we  certainly  do  both  ourselves  and  our  friends  a  real 
kindness. 

But  we  must  protect  our  eyes  not  only  by  not  using 
them  improperly,  but  also  by  keeping  them  from  being 
injured  by  substances  that  may  accidentally  get  in 
from  outside.  The  bony  socket  of  the  eye,  the  eye- 
brows, the  eyelashes,  and  the  eyelids  all  help  to 
protect  from  outside  injuries.  The  tear  gland  is  also 
of  great  assistance  in  this  respect.  When  small  par- 
ticles of  dust  get  into  the  eye,  the  tears  will  often  wash 


246        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

them  down  into  one  corner  from  which  they  can  be 
easily  taken  with  a  handkerchief. 

After  getting  a  particle  of  dust  or  a  cinder  into  the 
eye,  close  the  lid  for  a  moment  to  allow  the  tears  to 
collect.  Then  take  hold  of  the  centre  of  the  upper 
lid  with  the  thumb  and  finger  and  draw  it  forward  so 
as  to  lift  the  lid  from  the  eyeball,  and  pull  it  down 
over  the  skin  of  the  lower  lid,  and  the  intruder  will 
often  be  deposited  thereon.  Should  a  metallic  particle 
lodge  in  the  eye,  it  can  often  be  removed  by  a  strong 
magnet. 

In  case  any  foreign  substance  is  not  promptly  re- 
moved by  these  methods,  an  oculist  should  be  visited 
at  once.  Much  discomfort  and  even  serious  permanent 
injury  may  follow  if  this  is  not  done.  One  of  the 
greatest  sources  of  danger  to  children's  eyes  is  the 
use  of  the  percussion  caps  which  are  so  popular  about 
the  Fourth  of  July.  Pieces  of  these  caps  often  fly 
into  the  eyes  of  the  one  who  explodes  them.  The 
fun  realized  from  the  noise  made  does  not  begin  to 
make  up  for  the  possible  danger. 

While  working  in  places  where  splinters  of  metal, 
stone,  or  wood  are  likely  to  strike  the  eyes,  men  should 
wear  spectacles  with  strong  plane  glasses.  Such 
glasses  are  also  good  protection  against  getting  sparks 
or  cinders  in  the  eyes  during  railway  traveling.  Rid- 
ing with  one's  back  to  the  engine  is  another  good  way 
to  keep  cinders  from  getting  into  the  eyes.  Some- 
times when  the  eye  has  been  irritated  for  a  time  by 


THE  EYES  247 

a  cinder  or  other  foreign  body,  the  uncomfortable 
feeling  will  keep  up,  and  the  eye  appear  inflamed, 
even  after  the  removal  of  the  cause ;  but  usually  the 
discomfort  and  inflammation  soon  disappear.  A  little 
saturated  solution  of  boracic  acid  dropped  into  the 
eye  is  an  excellent  remedy  in  such  cases.  Because  of 
its  soothing  qualities  this  lotion  is  very  healing  to 
the  eye  when  sore  or  inflamed  from  any  cause.  If 
the  inflammation  continues,  however,  an  oculist  should 
be  consulted  without  delay. 

But  dust  and  cinders  are  not  the  only  things  from 
outside  that  may  cause  injury  to  the  eyes.  A  particle 
of  quick-lime,  mortar,  or  any  strong  acid  may  do  great 
harm.  When  either  of  the  first  two  substances  has 
fallen  into  the  eye,  it  is  well  to  drop  sweet  oil  in  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  then  to  syringe  out  the  eye  with 
warm  water  to  wash  away  all  particles  of  the  lime. 
When  strong  acid  gets  in,  a  safe  remedy  is  to  drop 
in  some  milk,  and  then  syringe  the  eye  with  warm 
water.  Although  a  weak  solution  of  soda-water  or 
other  alkali  would  be  the  best  antidote  for  acid  in  the 
eye,  a  person  not  a  physician  might  do  injury  by 
having  such  a  solution  too  strong. 

Wood  alcohol,  and  other  liquids  made  from  it,  which 
are  often  used  for  cooking  or  heating  purposes,  are  dan- 
gerous to  the  eyes.  People  have  been  made  blind  by 
accidentally  drinking  even  small  quantities  of  these 
preparations.  Cases  have  also  been  reported  where 
blindness  or  other  serious  injury  to  the  eyes  has  resulted 


248        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

from  working  in  a  small  or  poorly  ventilated  room 
with  shellac  or  varnish  that  has  considerable  wood 
alcohol  in  its  composition.  Burning  wood  alcohol 
or  any  of  its  products  in  a  cabinet  bath,  or  for  light 
or  heat  in  a  bedroom,  has  been  known  to  injure  the 
eyes.  Harm  results  from  such  uses,  because  the 
fumes  are  taken  into  the  body  through  the  lungs. 
Wood  alcohol  as  fuel  for  a  chafing-dish  may  cause 
injury  to  the  sight,  unless  great  care  is  taken. 

As  some  form  of  wood  alcohol  is  now  often  used  as 
a  substitute  for  grain  alcohol  in  patent  medicines, 
Jamaica  ginger,  and  various  flavoring  extracts,  there 
is  likelihood  of  injuring  one's  eyes  by  making  too  free 
use  of  such  liquids.  This  again  emphasizes  the  fact 
that  water,  air,  and  food  are  the  only  safe  remedies 
for  people  to  take  without  the  advice  of  a  physician. 
Beware  of  quick-lime,  acids,  wood  alcohol  and  any  of 
its  products,  is  a  safe  rule  for  all  who  would  wisely 
protect  their  eyes.  The  danger  from  any  one  of  them 
is  so  great  that,  an  oculist  should  be  visited  as  soon  as 
possible  after  the  best  known  immediate  relief  has 
been  given. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  fresh  air,  pure  water, 
nourishing  food,  healthful  exercise,  and  anything 
that  tends  to  improve  the  general  health  is  good  for 
our  eyes,  while  impure  air  and  water,  improper  diet, 
and  lack  of  exercise  lessen  their  power.  One  of  the 
very  best  things  for  weak  eyes  is  plenty  of  sleep,  for 
the  muscles  are  given  complete  rest  for  a  long  time, 


THE  EYES  249 

and  by  going  to  bed  early  the  trying  artificial  lights  are 
avoided.     The  following  is  a  good  motto  to  remember : 

Early  to  bed,  not  too  early  to  rise, 
Is  an  excellent  balm  for  tired  eyes. 

But  how  foolish  it  seems  to  be  careful  of  so  many 
things  concerning  such  little  organs  as  the  eyes !  Ask 
a  person  with  weak  eyes  for  his  opinion,  or  get  the  next 
blind  man  you  meet  to  tell  what  he  thinks  about  it. 
What  would  they  not  give  for  your  eyes !  What  care 
they  would  take  of  theirs,  if  through  any  good  fortune 
the  lost  power  of  seeing  should  be  restored  !  A  fact 
well  worth  considering  in  this  connection  is  that  a 
distinguished  authority,  Dr.  Cohn  of  Breslau,  estimates 
that  of  one  thousand  cases  of  blindness  only  two  hun- 
dred twenty-five  were  unavoidable,  while  four  hundred 
forty-nine  were  possibly  preventable,  and  three  hundred 
twenty-six  were  positively  avoidable.  As  far  as  our  eyes 
are  concerned,  the  old  adage,  "  An  ounce  of  prevention 
is  worth  a  pound  of  cure,"  is  most  true.  Let  us  use 
the  full  ounce  of  prevention,  and  thus  avoid  the  un- 
happiness  and  discomfort  of  the  necessary  cure. 

If  all  were  born  with  perfectly  formed  eyes,  the  ounce 
of  prevention  might  be  sufficient  to  keep  these  organs 
healthy  and  useful  servants  for  a  lifetime.  But  all 
do  not  have  such  good  fortune.  On  a  previous 
page,  we  read  that  to  have  distinct  vision,  the  rays 
of  light  entering  the  eye  must  be  brought  to  a  focus 
on  the  retina,  as  seen  on  page  237,  Now  some  people 


250        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 


Parallel  Rays  fo- 
cused in  front  of 
the  Retina. 


are  born  with  eyeballs  so  deep  from  front  to  rear 
that  the  rays  of  light  are  brought  to  a  focus  before 
reaching  the  retina.  In  such  eyes,  the 
accommodation  muscles  are  of  little  use. 
In  truth,  they  are  even  worse  than 
useless,  because,  when  exercised,  they 
make  the  lens  more  convex,  tending 
to  focus  the  rays  of  light  sooner,  thus 
increasing,  instead  of  lessening,  the  dif- 
ficulty. Such  a  condition  is  called  near- 
sightedness. 

To  make  vision  clear  for  nearsighted 
people,  it  is  necessary  to  prevent  the 
rays  of  light  from  being  focused  too 
quickly  after  entering  the  pupil.  This  is  done  by 
placing  before  the  eyes  glasses  so  hollowed  out  that 
they  are  thinner  at  the  center  than  at  the  edges. 
Such  glasses  are  called  concave.  By  correcting  the 
defective  form  of  the  eyeball,  they  prevent  rays  of 
light  from  being  focused  before  reaching  the  retina, 
thus  making  vision  distinct. 

Nearsight  is  not  always  inherited,  but  unfortu- 
nately is  often  caused  by  children's  stooping  over 
books  or  holding  them  too  near  the  eyes  while  reading 
or  studying.  Such  position  interferes  with  the  normal 
circulation  of  blood  in  the  eye,  thus  weakening  the 
tissues.  As  the  latter  are  very  soft  and  plastic  in  child- 
hood, such  long  continued  improper  position  gradually 
changes  the  form  of  the  eyeball,  at  the  same  time 


THE  EYES  251 

affecting  the  focusing  power.  In  such  cases,  vision  is 
hazy  and  indistinct  unless  one's  work  is  brought  very 
near.  If  children  persist  in  holding  books  abnor- 
mally near  when  reading,  it  is  a  sure  sign  that  they 
are  nearsighted,  or  that  such  trouble  is  developing. 
If  when  a  slightly  concave  glass  is  placed  before  their 
eyes  vision  becomes  more  distinct,  it  is  quite  certain 
that  the  advice  of  an  oculist  should  be  sought. 

Some  years  ago  the  government  of  Germany,  alarmed 
at  the  large  number  of  young  men  unfit  for  military 
service  because  of  shortsightedness,  ordered  an  inves- 
tigation. The  expert  oculists  who  conducted  this 
investigation  reported  that  the  principal  cause  of 
the  prevalence  of  shortsightedness  was  that  so  many 
children  were  stooping  over  their  books  while  studying 
in  school.  The  government  thereupon  ordered  that 
iron  frames  which  would  prevent  such  stooping  position 
should  be  fastened  to  the  desk  of  any  children  showing 
a  tendency  to  form  such  a  harmful  habit.  The  de- 
crease of  shortsightedness  in  Germany,  since  that  time, 
is  ample  proof  of  the  wisdom  of  the  government  in 
starting  such  a  practice. 

Because  of  the  increased  amount  of  close  work 
required  by  lessons,  nearsightedness  may  be  noticed 
at  any  period  from  the  time  a  child  enters  school  until 
about  the  age  of  twenty-three.  Few  cases  develop 
at  a  later  period  in  life,  for  the  eye  tissues,  like  those 
of  the  rest  of  the  body,  gradually  become  tougher  and 
less  plastic  as  we  grow  older.  The  same  reason  ex- 


252        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


plains  why  many  persons  are  obliged  to  put  on  glasses 
at  about  the  age  of  forty-five,  for  the  lense  of  the  eye 
has  become  so  inelastic  it  cannot  be  controlled  by  the 
muscles  as  it  formerly  was.  Complete  rest  from  close 
work  will  sometimes  cure  cases  of  nearsightedness  at 
the  beginning,  and  glasses  will  usually  correct  those 
that  are  not  curable  by  rest.  Whether  the  trouble  is 
temporary  or  permanent,  an  oculist  should  be  con- 
sulted, for  the  child's  future  comfort  and  working  power 
are  deeply  concerned. 

Farsightedness  is  a  defect  of  the  eye  exactly  the  op- 
posite of  nearsightedness.  In  this  the  eyeball  is  so 
flat  or  shallow  that,  in  spite  of  the  assistance  of  the 
muscles  of  accommodation,  the  rays  of 
light  reach  the  retina  before  being  fo- 
cused, as  seen  in  the  cut.  On  this 
account,  vision  is  blurred  and  indistinct. 
A  farsighted  person  does  not  see  clearly 
and  easily  at  any  distance.  Street  signs 
are  not  discerned  readily,  written  work 
on  the  blackboard  is  made  out  with 

gieat     difficulty>    Sma11    ^P6    Cannot    be 


Parallel   Rays    fo- 

cused  behind  the    read  quickly  or  accurately,  nor  can  dis- 

Retina.  ,  . 

tant  objects  be  seen  as  well  as  by 
others  who  have  properly  formed  eyes.  In  farsighted- 
ness the  lines  on  the  eye-test  cards  in  common  use 
cannot  be  read  at  the  ordinary  distances.  If  convex 
glasses  placed  before  such  a  person's  eyes  improve  the 
vision,  that  is  good  evidence  of  farsightedness, 


THE  EYES  253 

We  remember  that  a  normal  eye  does  not  need  to  use 
its  accommodation  muscles  when  looking  at  distant 
objects,  but  only  in  reading,  writing,  and  other  close 
work,  requiring  extra  focusing  power.  However,  a 
farsighted  eye  must  exert  itself  to  focus  the  rays  of 
light  at  all  distances,  and  so  there  is  no  rest  for  the 
muscles  except  during  sleep.  Of  course  the  remedy 
for  farsightedness  is  convex  glasses,  just  the  oppo- 
site of  the  concave  lenses  that  are  used  for  near- 
sightedness.  How  convex  the  glasses  should  be  made 
depends  upon  how  faulty  the  formation  of  the  eye 
may  be.  That  is  a  matter  for  the  oculist  to  deter- 
mine. 

A  common  defect  usually 
due  to  unequal  curvature  of 
the  cornea  is  called  by  the 
long  name  astigmatism.  Usu- 
ally this  condition  dates  from 
birth,  though  it  may  not  be 
troublesome  enough  to  attract 
attention  until  the  eyes  are  Test  for  Astigmatism.  The  Lines 

put      to      Considerable      Use     in        should  appear  of  Equal  Black- 
ness. 

reading,  study,  or  similar  oc- 
cupations. This  defect  in  the  form  of  the  eyeball 
causes  inability  to  see  horizontal  and  vertical  lines 
equally  well.  On  the  eye-test  card,  there  are  dia- 
grams having  lines  of  equal  blackness  radiating  from 
a  center.  If,  when  this  test  card  is  at  a  distance  of 
about  twenty  feet,  any  of  these  lines  appear  less 


254        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

black  to  the  eyes  than  others,  it  is  regarded  as  evidence 
of  astigmatism. 

This  defect  is  a  hindrance  to  clear  and  easy  vision, 
as  letters  are  made  up  of  lines  running  in  different 
directions.  Its  cure  is  in  the  use  of  glasses  that  correct 
the  defect  in  the  form  of  the  eye.  Neither  the  concave 
glasses  helpful  in  nearsightedness,  nor  the  convex  lenses 
that  relieve  farsightedness,  will  be  of  any  use.  In 
fact,  if  neither  of  the  above  glasses  gives  the  desired 
ease  and  clearness  of  vision,  it  is  almost  a  sure  sign 
that  one's  trouble  is  astigmatism.  The  relief  and 
comfort  following  the  use  of  the  properly  fitting 
glasses  is  so  great  that  one  feels  his  oculist  is,  indeed, 
a  benefactor. 

There  are  important  parts  of  the  eye  that  have  not 
been  mentioned  in  this  chapter.  Many  interesting 
things  concerning  these  useful  organs  have  also  been 
purposely  omitted,  for  the  aim  has  been  to  give  only 
names  and  facts  necessary  to  such  an  understanding  of 
our  eyes  as  will  enable  us  to  keep  .them  in  the  best 
condition  for  service.  There  are  also  many  disorders 
of  the  eyes  to  which  no  reference  has  been  made.  The 
three  defects  that  have  been  described  are  the  most 
common  ones  that  the  use  of  glasses  will  permanently 
correct,  and  many  others  that  have  not  been  men- 
tioned result  from  a  lack  of  correction  of  these. 

For  example,  squint  or  cross-eye  is  often  caused  by 
farsightedness  or  some  other  defect  too  severely  over- 
taxing certain  sets  of  muscles.  Squint  usually  starts  at 


THE  EYES  255 

a  time  when  children  begin  to  occupy  themselves  with 
near  objects.  At  first  it  is  noticeable  only  when  the 
eyes  are  examining  something  near  at  hand.  Then  it 
is  occasionally  observed  when  a  more  distant  object 
is  looked  at,  especially  if  the  child,  because  of  sickness, 
is  less  equal  to  the  strain  than  usual ;  and  finally,  one 
or  both  eyes  remain  constantly  turned  in  toward 
the  nose.  Parents  often  think  the  squint  is  a  result 
of  some  sickness  such  as  measles,  or  scarlet  fever,  as 
these  diseases  frequently  occur  at  about  the  time  squint 
is  developed.  While  such  sickness  may  act  as  an  excit- 
ing agent  by  weakening  the  patient  so  that  his  eyes  are 
less  able  to  bear  the  strain,  the  real  cause  is  a  defect 
in  focus  due  to  improper  formation  of  the  eye.  Squint 
or  cross-eye  should  receive  attention  at  the  earliest 
moment  possible. 

When  a  person  has  squint,  it  is  difficult  for  him  to 
use  both  eyes  at  the  same  time,  and  so  the  eye  affected 
gradually  becomes  diseased,  and,  in  time,  accurate 
vision  in  it  may  be  lost.  At  the  commencement  of 
squinting,  if  the  child  is  old  enough,  the  trouble  may 
be  cured  by  wearing  glasses  that  correct  the  defect. 
If  the  oculist  thinks  it  too  late  for  glasses  to  correct 
the  trouble,  he  may  restore  the  normal  position  of  the 
eye  by  the  simple  operation  of  cutting  the  affected 
muscles.  This  can  be  done  very  quickly  and  with  but 
little  pain.  After  such  an  operation,  there  is  danger 
of  the  squint's  returning,  unless  glasses  are  worn  that 
correct  the  improper  form  of  the  eye.  Besides  bring- 


256        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

ing  on  loss  of  sight  in  the  eye  affected,  squint  also 
lessens  one's  good  looks.  Any  one  having  this  trouble 
ought  to  be  very  thankful  that  it  can  be  cured  so 
easily. 

Do  we  seem  not  to  see  as  well  as  the  average  boy  and 
girl  with  whom  we  associate?  Have  we  a  dislike  for 
reading  and  other  occupations  requiring  use  of  our 
eyes  on  near  objects?  Do  headaches  and  other  un- 
comfortable feelings  result  from  our  study  and  similar 
work  ?  Then  it  is  quite  probable  that  our  eyes  need 
attention.  Either  rest  is  necessary,  or  they  have 
some  defect  which  only  glasses  can  remedy.  Nor 
should  we  feel  any  hesitation  or  shame  about  trying 
to  find  out  the  existence  of  such  defect  or  weakness 
or  any  foolish  pride  about  letting  others  know  we 
have  it.  As  a  rule,  it  is  not  something  for  which  we 
ourselves  are  responsible,  and  it  may  be  present  in  the 
very  young  or  very  strong,  as  well  as  in  the  old  or  the 
weak. 

"We  don't  want  to  wear  glasses  because  they  make 
us  look  old!"  some  children  may  say.  How  foolish 
such  an  idea  is  !  How  little  the  question  of  looks  really 
amounts  to,  compared  with  the  great  misfortune  of 
future  weak  sight  or  possible  blindness !  How  very 
small,  indeed,  is  such  a  consideration,  when  we  know 
that  going  without  glasses  means  only  half  seeing  things 
or  seeing  with  difficulty,  and  naturally  prevents  us 
from  doing  our  best  either  at  play  or  at  work !  How 
trifling  is  the  question  of  looks  when;  without  glasses, 


THE  EYES  257 

we  may  never  form  a  liking  for  reading  and  other 
occupations  that  add  so  much  to  the  joy  of  living! 
Especially  are  all  these  things  true,  when  we  realize 
that  one  of  the  greatest  elements  of  beauty  in  the  eyes 
is  the  ability  to  keep  them  wide  open  and  to  look 
frankly  at  those  with  whom  we  are  conversing. 
Those  with  weak  or  defective  eyes  usually  cannot  do 
this  without  the  aid  of  glasses. 

"But  it  isn't  the  looks  we  care  for,  it's  the  bother !" 
others  may  say.  Something  a  bother  that  helps  a  boy 
to  throw  or  hit  a  ball  more  accurately,  or  that  aids  a 
girl  to  draw  or  play  with  greater  dexterity !  Some- 
thing a  bother  that  gives  greater  eye  power  for  every- 
thing during  a  lifetime,  and  may  prevent  much  sickness 
and  discomfort  as  well !  People  who  have  long  been 
under  the  treatment  of  a  doctor  for  stomach  troubles, 
headaches,  or  nervousness  have  had  these  ailments 
disappear,  after  the  glasses  that  corrected  their  eye 
defects  had  been  worn  for  a  time.  The  undue  strain 
on  the  nerves  and  muscles  of  the  eyes  had  affected 
other  parts  of  the  nervous  system,  which  naturally  re- 
covered their  normal  condition  when  the  eye  strain 
was  relieved  by  glasses. 

Why  is  it  better  to  wear  spectacles  than  nose-glasses, 
provided  an  oculist  tells  us  our  eyes  need  correction? 
That  they  are  much  less  likely  to  be  mislaid  or  broken, 
is  a  very  good  reason.  The  chief  advantage,  however, 
is  that  they  keep  their  proper  position  before  the  eyes. 
Nose-glasses  are  frequently  put  on  at  an  angle  different 


258        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  PI  AS 

from  that  which  the  oculist  intended,  and  so  the  full 
benefit  from  the  lenses  is  not  received.  Another 
danger  is  that  they  are  not  always  put  on  at  the  same 
angle,  thus  giving  the  muscles  the  extra  strain  of  ac- 
commodating themselves  to  different  positions.  Since 
spectacles  will  prove  less  expensive  and  more  ser- 
viceable, they  are  certainly  far  better  than  nose-glasses 
for  most  persons,  even  though  they  may  not  seem 
quite  as  pleasing.  All  know  we  can  see  through  dusty 
windows  much  less  clearly  than  through  those  that  are 
clean.  The  same  thing  is  true  of  eye-glasses.  On 
this  account  they  should  be  frequently  cleaned. 

The  service  our  eyes  will  perform,  when  properly 
protected  and  cared  for,  is  truly  marvellous.  And  yet, 
no  doubt,  there  are  many  who  have  never  had  the  full 
enjoyment  of  seeing.  Mr.  Francisque  Sarcey,  who  was 
born  with  the  defect  of  nearsightedness,  gives  the  fol- 
lowing interesting  account  of  his  experience :  "One  day, 
for  fun,  I  got  hold  of  the  large  silver  spectacles  my 
father  used  to  wear,  and  put  them  on  my  nose,  as  chil- 
dren will  do  in  play.  That  was  fifty  years  ago,  yet  the 
sensation  experienced  is  still  vivid  in  my  memory. 
I  uttered  a  cry  of  astonishment  and  delight.  Before 
that  day  I  had  never  seen  the  foliage  which  arched 
above  my  head,  except  as  a  large,  compact,  green 
sheet,  through  which  no  ray  of  light  penetrated. 

"All  at  once  I  saw  with  surprise  and  rapture  that 
there  were  openings  in  the  dome  through  which  the 
light  penetrated;  that  the  foliage  was  composed  of 


THE  EYES  259 

separate  leaves  not  soldered  to  one  another;  that  the 
sun's  rays  filtered  through  and  played  among  them, 
illuminating  some  and  leaving  others  a  darker  shade  of 
green.  What  astonished  me  most,  and  caused  an  en- 
chantment of  which  I  cannot  speak  even  now  without 
emotion,  was  that,  through  some  holes  in  the  foliage, 
I  suddenly  perceived  far-away  bits  of  blue  sky.  I 
clapped  my  hands,  and  was  in  ecstasy  !  I  was  mad  with 
admiration  and  joy.  I  could  not  rest  until  they  gave 
me  a  pair  of  spectacles.  I  felt  a  sort  of  intoxication  in 
looking  about  me.  All  the  objects  I  had  hitherto 
believed  to  be  of  indistinct  outline  assumed  for  me  new 
and  singular  appearances.  Views  unfolded  themselves 
to  my  eyes  and  were  an  inexhaustible  source  of  dis- 
coveries and  wonder,  for  things  that  had  previously 
appeared  all  confounded  with  one  another,  now  seemed 
to  detach  themselves  and  recede  from  or  approach 
the  eye." 

Are  we  missing  all  or  even  a  small  part  of  the  joy 
glasses  revealed  to  Francisque  Sarcey?  If  so,  what  a 
pity  that  such  misfortune  should  continue  a  day  longer 
than  is  absolutely  necessary.  If,  because  of  having 
to  hold  print  abnormally  close  to  our  eyes,  lack  of 
power  to  see  at  a  distance  as  well  as  our  comrades, 
or  other  difficulty  or  discomfort  of  sight,  some  defect 
is  suspected,  how  foolish  we  shall  be  to  lose  any  time 
in  finding  out  and  correcting  it.  If  our  eyes  have 
normal  accommodation,  they  will  be  able  to  read  fine 
type  at  twelve  inches  in  good  daylight. 


260        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

Every  doctor  and  almost  every  school  now  has  an 
eye-test  card  and  every  home  can  possess  one.  All 
the  lines  on  these  cards  should  be  read  easily  and  ac- 
curately with  each  eye,  while  the  other  is  closed,  at 
the  distances  indicated  in  figures  above  them.  The 
horizontal,  vertical,  and  oblique  lines  radiating  from 
the  same  centers  in  the  cards  should  appear  of  equal 
blackness.  In  all  eye  tests,  it  is  important  to  try  each 
eye  while  the  other  is  covered,  for,  if  they  do  not  see 
alike,  it  is  a  sign  that  attention  is  needed.  Perhaps  the 
teacher  or  principal  can  test  our  eyes  with  one  of  these 
cards,  but  if  not,  some  one  who  can  should  be 
consulted. 

Should  defects  be  discovered  or  suspected  from  such 
an  examination,  or  if,  for  any  other  reason,  we  suspect 
their  existence,  we  should  go  to  an  oculist  without 
delay.  But  perhaps  we  may  live  where  there  is  no 
oculist.  For  what  better  purpose  can  a  visit  to  a  city 
be  made  than  to  have  full  power  and  comfort  restored 
to  our  eyes?  Nor  need  the  question  of  expense  long 
delay,  for  what  person  cannot  earn  the  necessary  funds 
to  secure  the  blessing  of  improved  sight,  if  he  sets  out  in 
real  earnest  to  accomplish  that  end  ?  Cities  often  have 
infirmaries  where  persons  who  cannot  afford  to  pay 
may  be  cared  for  by  well  qualified  physicians,  but  none 
except  the  very  poor  should  make  use  of  this  opportu- 
nity. Indeed,  all  should  be  anxious  to  pay  for  such  a 
precious  possession  as  the  full  power  of  seeing,  and  there 
are  few  oculists  who  will  not  allow  a  reasonable  time  for 
payment. 


THE  EYES  261 

Do  we  now  fully  appreciate  the  blessing  of  good 
sight  ?  Then  we  shall  ever  be  on  the  alert  to  guard  and 
protect  our  eyes.  We  shall  remember  that  sufficient 
light  from  above  and  behind  us  in  doing  close  work, 
rest  from  close  work,  and  especially  rest  from  close 
work  by  artificial  light,  are  among  the  principal  things 
to  be  careful  about  in  our  daily  life.  We  shall  not 
forget  that  while  weak  eyes  may  be  greatly  helped 
by  rest  and  careful  treatment,  defective  eyes  can  be 
permanently  remedied  only  by  the  proper  glasses.  On 
first  meeting  a  person,  we  often  decide  largely  by  his 
eyes  whether  he  is  interesting,  fun-loving,  bright,  or 
soulful.  In  fact,  eyes  are  often  spoken  of  as  windows 
of  the  soul.  Weak  or  defective  eyes  cannot  be  the 
truest  mirrors  of  our  inner  selves.  By  proper  care, 
we  can  have  them  both  look  and  see  their  best.  May 
we  ever  strive  to  make  our  eyes  reflect  the  best  that 
is  in  us,  and  bring  in  the  best  that  is  around  and 
about  us. 


CHAPTER   XXIV 


THE    EARS    AND    HOW   TO    PROTECT   THEM 

THE  ears  are  also  very  important  windows  of  Jack's 
House.  Just  how  much  good  hearing  contributes  to 
our  usefulness  and  pleasure,  no  one  can  fully  appreciate 
k  until  he  becomes 

"N         AtemAra/iouslabmnf/f 

deaf.  I  here  are 
occupations  in 
which  only  per- 
sons having  the 
ability  to  hear 
well  can  be  em- 
ployed, and,  to 
be  fitted  for 
these,  our  ears 
must  be  in 
healthy  condition.  Indeed,  there  are  few  lines  of  work 
in  which  inability  to  understand  readily  in  conver- 
sation is  not  a  handicap,  hence  even  slight  deafness 
may  be  a  hindrance  in  almost  any  business.  But  the 
worst  feature  of  slight  derangement  of  hearing  is 
that  it  may  gradually  lead  to  greater  or  even  to  total 
deafness. 

262 


fi/fe 


Section  through  the  Ear. 


THE  EARS  263 

One  can  partly  realize  the  greatness  of  such  a  calam- 
ity by  trying  to  think  how  much  would  be  removed 
from  life,  if  the  voices  of  the  friends  we  love  and  the 
various  other  sounds  that  are  dear  to  us  were  never 
again  to  be  heard  as  we  know  them  now.  What 
foolish  house-owners  we  should  be,  not  to  do  all  in 
our  power  to  prevent  such  a  misfortune  from  coming 
into  our  lives !  We  shall  now  consider  some  facts 
about  the  structure  of  our  ears  and  the  process  of  hear- 
ing that  may  help  us  more  intelligently  to  protect 
and  preserve  this  wonderful  sense  of  hearing  that  God 
has  given  us.  While  there  are  many  interesting 
things  that  might  be  mentioned  concerning  the  ears, 
only  what  is  necessary  for  a  clear  understanding  will 
be  given. 

The  ear  has  three  divisions,  —  namely  the  outer, 
the  middle,  and  the  inner  ear.  The  outer  ear  consists 
of  the  auricle  (the  visible  outside  part  that  is  usually 
called  the  ear),  and  the  auditory  canal,  which  we  can 
see  leading  from  the  auricle  to  the  middle  ear,  or  drum. 
This  canal  is  about  one  and  one-fourth  inches  long,  and 
the  skin  lining  it  contains  the  earwax  glands.  These 
glands  secrete  a  bitter  sticky  wax  which  catches  dust 
and  usually  stops  insects  that  may  enter.  This  wax  is 
of  great  importance,  for  as  long  as  the  outer  end  of 
the  canal  is  covered  with  it,  the  skin  will  not  itch 
and  the  ear  will  be  comfortable.  Besides  being  a 
protection  against  dust  and  insects,  earwax  also  pre- 
vents the  growth  of  mold.  The  skin  of  the  auditory 


264        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

canal  grows  outward,  carrying  with  it  any  worn-out 
skin  and  superfluous  earwax.  Consequently,  the  ordi- 
nary daily  washing  of  the  auricle  and  the  outer  opening 
of  the  auditory  canal  is  sufficient.  Trying  to  swab  or 
dig  out  more  of  the  wax  may  do  injury  by  packing  it  in 
or  by  wounding  the  drumhead.  The  auditory  canal  is 
slightly  curved.  On  this  account  an  insect  or  a  flying 
missile  cannot  go  straight  against  the  drumhead. 

The  latter  is  the  partition  between  the  auditory 
canal  and  the  middle  ear  or  drum,  and  is  commonly 
spoken  of  as  the  " ear-drum."  However,  it  is  no  more 
entitled  to  that  name  than  is  a  part  of  anything  to  be 
called  by  the  name  of  the  whole.  The  drumhead  is 
circular,  about  one-fourth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and 
extremely  thin.  The  cavity  of  the  middle  ear  or  drum 
is  about  half  an  inch  in  height  and  width,  and  from  one- 
twelfth  to  one-sixth  of  an  inch  deep.  It  contains  the 
three  tiniest  bones  of  the  body,  which  join  together  so 
as  to  form  a  chain  or  bridge  from  the  drumhead  to  the 
inner  ear.  In  the  front  part  of  the  drum  cavity  is  an 
opening  into  a  little  passage,  called  the  Eustachian 
tube,  leading  to  the  throat.  This  tube  is  of  great  im- 
portance, for  through  it  the  middle  ear  gets  its  supply 
of  air.  The  inner  ear  is  a  shell-shaped  hollow  in  one 
of  the  bones  of  the  skull.  It  contains  a  fluid  and  has 
a  lining  from  which  float  delicate  nerve  endings. 

Now  let  us  consider  how  we  hear.  When  anything 
has  been  set  into  vibration,  at  a  certain  rate  of  rapidity, 
waves  of  sound  travel  from  it  just  as  ripples  of  water 


THE  EARS  265 

pass  from  the  place  in  a  stream  where  a  stone  has 
been  thrown.  It  is  estimated  that  sound  moves 
through  air  at  the  freezing-point  at  the  rate  of  one 
thousand  ninety  feet  a  second.  When  a  wave  of  air 
reaches  the  head,  part  of  it  is  taken  up  by  the  auricle, 
and  directed  into  the  auditory  canal,  where  it  sets  the 
drumhead  in  motion.  The  drumhead  imparts  this 
motion  to  the  chain  of  little  bones  that  connects  it 
with  the  middle  ear.  The  movement  of  the  bones  sets 
the  liquid  of  the  inner  ear  in  motion,  and  nerves 
attached  to  the  floating  soft  parts  of  the  inner  ear 
carry  the  impressions  thus  received  to  the  brain. 

So  we  see  that  the  following  are  three  of  the  things 
that  are  essential  to  good  hearing.  The  auditory 
canal  must  be  kept  open  and  unobstructed.  The 
drumhead  must  be  in  proper  position  and  condition 
to  respond  to  vibration.  The  chain  of  bones  must  be 
free  to  move  forward  and  backward  in  response  to  the 
vibrations  of  the  drumhead.  Let  us  now  give  atten- 
tion to  a  few  common  causes  of  disorder  of  these  im- 
portant parts,  and  find  out  how  we  may  try  to  prevent 
them. 

The  auditory  canal  may  be  obstructed  by  impacted 
earwax,  by  some  object  or  substance  that  has  ac- 
cidentally got  in,  or  by  something  that  has  been  placed 
in  for  a  certain  purpose  and  forgotten.  The  earwax 
obstruction,  as  has  been  stated,  has  usually  been  packed 
down  by  trying  to  swab  or  dig  out  an  undue  amount. 
Trying  to  get  out  only  what  may  be  removed  by  wash- 


266        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

ing  and  thoroughly  drying  the  auricle  and  the  outer 
orifice  of  the  auditory  canal,  will  usually  obviate 
trouble  from  this  source.  In  rare  instances  an  excessive 
accumulation  of  wax  can  be  removed  only  by  syringing. 
Such  accumulation  is  sometimes  large  enough  to  cause 
deafness  in  the  affected  ear ;  but  syringing,  by  removing 
the  wax,  restores  the  hearing.  One  can  easily  imagine 
the  great  relief  of  the  patient,  especially  if  he  has  imag- 
ined something  far  more  serious  to  be  the  trouble. 
A  physician  should  do  the  syringing. 

There  is  little  need  of  the  great  alarm  often  caused  by 
getting  a  foreign  body  into  the  ear.  Whether  it  be  a 
live  insect  or  an  object  without  life,  slight  discomfort, 
or,  at  the  most,  a  partial  blocking  of  the  auditory 
canal,  is  the  worst  immediate  effect,  for  the  drumhead 
will  prevent  anything  from  getting  into  the  inner  or 
middle  ear  where  harm  might  be  done.  However, 
such  foreign  bodies  should  not  be  allowed  to  remain  an 
unduly  long  time,  as  they  may  produce  irritation  and 
serious  injury.  If  the  auricle  is  drawn  upward  and 
outward  to  straighten  the  canal  as  much  as  possible, 
and  the  head  is  inclined  to  the  side  of  the  affected  ear 
and  gently  shaken,  the  object  will  often  drop  out.  A 
light  held  close  to  the  auricle  of  the  ear  will  sometimes 
attract  an  insect  from  the  auditory  canal. 

When  this  fails,  gently  syringing  with  some  luke- 
warm water  while  the  head  is  inclined  to  the  side 
affected,  may  cause  the  object  to  come  out  with  the 
returning  water,  A  small  syringe  sold  by  druggists 


THE  EARS  267 

for  such  purpose  should  be  used,  and  always  operated 
gently.  The  water  should  not  be  syringed  directly 
in,  for  this  might  drive  the  object  still  farther  on,  but 
it  should  be  directed  toward  the  walls  of  the  canal. 
To  get  rid  of  live  insects,  the  auditory  canal  should  be 
filled  with  warm  water,  which  will  quickly  destroy 
them.  Under  no  circumstances  should  an  attempt  be 
made  to  pick  out  such  foreign  bodies  with  a  wire  or 
similar  instrument,  for  greater  damage  may  be  done  in 
this  way  than  the  object  could  possibly  cause.  If 
the  two  simple  means  described  fail,  a  physician  should 
be  consulted. 

The  drumhead  may  be  punctured  by  instruments 
carelessly  used  to  poke  out  foreign  bodies,  or  by  pencils, 
hairpins,  or  something  similar  accidentally  thrust  into 
the  ear.  It  may  receive  too  severe  a  shock  from  a  loud 
report  near  by,  through  loud  shouting  into  the  ear, 
or  by  a  sudden  severe  blow  on  the  ear.  Even  picking 
one's  ear  with  a  pencil  or  any  pointed  object  is  danger- 
ous, for,  by  playfully  jogging  the  elbow,  some  one  may 
cause  the  drum  to  be  punctured.  The  foolishness  of 
suddenly  shouting  into  the  ear  to  startle  a  person,  and 
the  cruelty  and  danger  of  boxing  any  one,  especially 
a  child,  on  the  ear,  can  be  readily  understood. 

When  we  are  going  where  loud  explosions  are"  ex- 
pected to  take  place,  the  drumhead  may  be  protected 
by  a  covering.  It  may  also  be  well  to  remember  that 
if  one  swallows  at  the  instant  an  explosion  occurs,  the 
Eustachian  tube  will  be  opened,  and  air  will  be  sent  into 


268        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

the  middle  ear  with  sufficient  force  to  assist  the  drum- 
head in  warding  off  the  shock.  The  danger  from  loud 
explosions  is  one  that  should  be  carefully  guarded 
against,  for  severe  shocks  to  the  nerves  often  cause 
temporary  or  even  permanent  injuries  to  the  ears. 

But  one  of  the  gravest  and  most  common  dangers  is 
the  stoppage  of  the  Eustachian  tube,  for  such  a  stoppage 
cuts  off  the  middle  ear's  supply  of  air.  Then,  when 
the  air  it  contained  before  the  stoppage  is  absorbed, 
a  vacuum  is  created,  and  the  air  outside  the  drumhead 
naturally  breaks  through  it  to  fill  this  vacuum.  The 
result  is  that  hearing  becomes  permanently  deranged 
because  of  the  puncturing  of  the  drumhead  and  the 
change  in  position  of  the  chain  of  bones. 

The  lining  of  the  Eustachian  tube  is  simply  an  ex- 
tension of  the  lining  of  the  throat  and  nose.  Conse- 
quently, colds,  catarrh,  adenoids,  and  kindred  troubles 
are  common  causes  of  the  stopping  up  of  the  Eu- 
stachian tube,  because  anything  that  affects  the  inside 
of  the  throat  naturally  passes  to  the  inner  part  of  this 
tube.  Continuous  mouth  breathing,  by  irritating  the 
lining  of  the  throat,  may  also  cause  the  Eustachian 
tube  to  become  stopped  up.  If  there  is  any  derange- 
ment of  hearing  after  or  during  a  cold,  an  aurist  should 
be  at  once  consulted.  Parents  should  watch  their  chil- 
dren carefully  for  evidence  of  the  ears  being  affected, 
for  deafness  is  so  insidious  that  often  it  is  not  sus- 
pected until  accidentally  found  out  by  a  physician. 

The  same  harmful  result  frequently  attends  certain 


THE  EARS  269 

children's  diseases,  such  as  measles  and  scarlet  fever. 
The  latter  being  especially  dangerous,  the  slightest 
symptoms  of  pain  or  of  sounds  in  the  ear  should  be 
reported  to  the  attending  physician  without  delay. 
In  the  case  of  young  children  who  give  evidence  of  pain, 
but  are  not  able  to  tell  where  it  is,  a  finger  may  be 
pressed  below  the  auricle,  and,  if  the  pain  is  in  the  ear, 
the  fact  will  be  made  evident  by  the  child.  These 
statements  make  it  plain  that  wise  protectors  of  the 
ear  should  do  all  they  possibly  can  to  avoid  catching 
colds.  This,  in  brief,  means  that  all  should  make 
abundant  use  of  pure  air  and  cleansing  water,  and 
avoid  handicapping  their  bodies  with  too  much  food  or 
improper  clothing. 

Deafness  and  unusual  sounds  in  the  ear  are  signs 
that  the'  Eustachian  tube  may  be  stopped  up.  Some- 
times a  vigorous  blowing  of  the  nose  will  open  the  tube 
and  give  relief.  Where  this  fails,  or,  as  in  the  case  of 
an  infant,  is  impossible,  a  doctor  should  be  consulted. 
Care  should  be  taken  to  test  the  hearing  of  infants 
frequently,  especially  if  they  have  had  measles,  scarlet 
fever,  or  similar  diseases,  or  have  suffered  much  with 
colds.  Children  who  become  totally  deaf  are  likely 
also  to  become  dumb,  for,  not  being  able  to  hear  others 
speak,  they  never  learn  to  talk  in  the  ordinary  way. 

Earache  may  often  be  cured  by  placing  a  hot-water 
bag,  or  cloths  wrung  out  of  hot  water,  back  of  and  be- 
low the  auricle.  Breathing  into  the  ear  will  sometimes 
quiet  a  slight  attack  of  earache,  the  warmth  of  the 


270       THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

breath  having  a  soothing  effect.  One  should  not  pour 
sweet  oil,  glycerine,  or  similar  liquids  into  the  ear  to 
cure  earache,  unless  advised  to  do  so  by  a  physician. 
Although  such  fluid,  if  heated,  may  relieve  the  pain  for 
a  time,  it  is  likely  to  become  rancid  and  furnish  soil 
for  the  growth  of  harmful  mold. 

A  discharge  of  pus  from  the  ear  may  always  be  con- 
sidered a  symptom  so  dangerous  to  the  sense  of  hearing 
that  an  aurist  should  be  consulted.  Such  discharge  is 
usually  thin  and  mild  in  its  character  at  first.  If 
allowed  to  continue,  it  becomes  greater  in  quantity, 
very  irritating,  and  of  a  most  disagreeable  odor.  Its 
cause  is  usually  severe  inflammation  of  the  outer  or 
middle  ear,  a  condition  which  often  follows  an  attack 
of  scarlet  fever  or  measles.  When  the  discharge  is 
from  the  middle  ear,  the  inflammation  has  brought 
about  a  puncture  of  the  drumhead.  Even  when  the 
inflammation  is  in  the  outer  ear,  there  is  danger  of 
puncturing  the  drumhead,  if  the  trouble  is  not  relieved. 
Displacement  of  the  chain  of  bones  and  impairment  of 
hearing  usually  follow  permanent  injury  to  the  drum- 
head. Nor  is  impairment  of  hearing  the  only  danger. 
Such  inflammation  may  extend  through  the  middle  and 
inner  ear  to  the  brain  and  even  cause  death. 

One  of  the  things  boys  like  best  to  do  is  to  go  in 
swimming,  though  few  realize  that  too  frequent  and 
too  careless  visits  to  the  old  swimming  hole  have 
caused  many  a  lad  to  be  handicapped  for  life  by  poor 
hearing.  Jumping  into  the  water  from  high  places 


THE  EARS  271 

without  holding  the  nose  may  forcibly  send  this  liquid 
through  the  Eustachian  tube,  causing  irritation  of  the 
middle  ear.  When  water  remains  in  the  auditory 
canal  after  swimming,  heat  of  the  ear  is  required  to 
evaporate  it.  Colds  and  inflammation  are  likely  to 
follow  such  a  condition,  for  the  ear  is  very  susceptible 
to  colds. 

The  ears  may  be  protected  by  holding  the  nose 
when  jumping  or  diving.  Having  the  head  above 
water  as  much  as  possible  during  the  swim,  and  get- 
ting all  of  the  water  we  can  out  of  the  ears  after  the 
bath,  are  both  wise  precautions.  A  good  way  to  get 
the  water  out  is  to  stand  on  one  foot  and  kick  back- 
ward strongly  with  the  opposite  leg,  while  the  side  of 
the  head  is  inclined  downward.  Of  course,  for  the 
time  being,  there  may  be  more  fun  in  jumping  and 
diving  all  we  like,  staying  in  the  water  as  long  as  we 
want  to,  and  dressing  without  thought  of  the  health 
of  our  ears.  However,  few  will  question  that  even 
such  good  fun  got  at  the  expense  of  hearing  power  is 
a  very  poor  bargain. 

Cotton  plugs  may  be  worn  in  the  ears  for  a  short 
time  without  doing  any  harm;  for  example,  while  in 
swimming.  They  should  not,  however,  be  kept  in  for 
any  extended  period,  especially  while  within  doors. 
One's  hearing  may  be  injured  by  the  continuous  clatter 
of  machinery.  On  this  account,  boiler  makers  and 
men  doing  similar  work  are  often  made  deaf.  Such 
misfortune  may  be  avoided  by  wearing  ear  protectors. 


272        THE    WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

Hearing  is  also  sometimes  injured  by  substances  be- 
ing forcibly  snuffed  up  the  nose,  as  some  of  the 
liquid  or  powder  gets  into  the  Eustachian  tube,  causing 
inflammation.  Atomizers  that  spray  gently  will  do 
no  harm,  but  a  quantity  of  liquid  or  powder  forcibly 
impelled  or  snuffed  up  the  nostrils  can  do  little  good  to 
the  nose  or  throat,  and  may  cause  injury  to  the  ears. 
Taking  too  much  quinine  is  another  cause  of  deafness. 
This  drug  is  often  used  in  cases  of  colds  or  fevers,  and, 
when  long  continued,  sometimes  causes  loss  of  hear- 
ing. In  tropical  countries,  where  it  is  largely  used 
as  a  remedy  for  fevers,  many  persons  can  be  found 
whose  hearing  has  been  impaired  by  its  use. 

One  of  the  greatest  dangers  of  deafness  is  that  the 
affliction  comes  on  so  gradually  that  it  is  often  not 
noticed  or  considered  seriously  until  ordinary  conversa- 
tion becomes  difficult  to  hear.  This  follows  naturally, 
because  persons  slightly  deaf  are  likely  to  think  that 
their  inability  to  hear  is  due  either  to  their  own  care- 
lessness or  to  the  indistinct  speech  of  others.  These 
faults  they  try  to  correct  by  the  most  eager  listening, 
as  well  as  by  watching  the  lips  of  those  with  whom  they 
are  conversing :  and  the  latter,  noticing  that  they  are 
frequently  misunderstood,  raise  their  voices  a  little 
or  speak  more  distinctly.  This  mutual  help  prevents, 
for  a  time,  a  discovery  of  the  real  source  of  trouble. 
As  the  idea  of  being  deaf  is  disagreeable,  friends  hesitate 
to  call  attention  to  anything  about  which  they  think 
one  may  be  sensitive.  For  these  reasons  the  danger- 


THE  EARS  273 

> 

ous  condition  of  the  ears  is  often  not  realized  until  it 
is  too  late  for  much  relief. 

There  have  been  discovered  many  cases  of  stupid  and 
disorderly  pupils  who,  when  the  cause  of  deafness  had 
been  removed,  became  bright  and  intelligent.  Having 
only  partially  heard,  they  could  not  fully  understand, 
and  hence  seemed  to  be  stupid  and  unruly.  Not  real- 
izing that  they  were  not  hearing  as  well  as  others,  they 
did  not  know  that  the  help  of  a  physician  should  be 
sought.  This  emphasizes  the  importance  of  testing  the 
ears  of  school  children.  Both  wasted  time  and  much 
unhappiness  may  be  saved  by  such  tests. 

But  suppose  we  are  attending  schools  where  ear  tests 
are  not  given,  how  may  we  find  out  whether  our  hearing 
is  defective  ?  The  low-spoken  voice  should  be  heard  at 
a  distance  of  twenty  feet.  A  watch  having  a  loud  tick 
may  usually  be  heard  about  three  feet,  and  one  with  a 
low  tick  from  twelve  to  fifteen  inches.  All  such  tests 
should  be  made  with  one  ear,  while  the  other  is  covered. 
If  the  ear  fails  to  hear  these  sounds,  or  if  for  any  other 
reason  we  think  our  hearing  is  not  normal,  there 
should  be  no  delay  in  consulting  an  aurist. 

Frequent  earache,  pus  or  odor  from  the  ear,  con- 
tinued roaring  or  other  unusual  sounds  in  the  ear,  are 
all  dangerous  warnings  that  should  never  be  long  un- 
heeded. Inability  to  breathe  through  both  nostrils  is 
also  a  sign  that  the  advice  of  an  expert  should  be 
sought.  When  attended  to  in  time  by  one  who  is 
competent,  these  often  do  not  result  in  permanent 


274        THE  WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

harm,  but  by  neglecting  them  or  experimenting  with 
patent  remedies,  precious  hearing  power  may  be  lost. 

Some  people  are  not  concerned  about  deafness  in 
one  ear.  They  seem  to  think  either  that  increased 
power  in  the  other  will  make  up  the  loss,  or  that  they 
can  get  along  well  enough  with  one  good  ear,  and  that 
it  is  not  worth  while  to  bother  about  the  other.  This 
is  a  great  mistake.  Even  if  there  is  no  chance  of  re- 
storing the  lost  power  to  the  diseased  ear,  the  same 
difficulty  may  occur  in  the  good  ear,  and  deafness  in 
both  result.  No  pains  or  trouble  should  be  spared  to 
restore  the  affected  ear  to  a  state  of  health.  Very 
likely  deafness  may  exist  for  years  in  one  ear,  while 
hearing  in  the  other  remains  perfect.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  possibility  of  the  healthy  ear  becoming 
affected  is  always  present,  and  the  slightest  cause 
may  bring  about  such  a  grave  result. 

Altogether  too  little  attention  is  directed  to  the  dis- 
abling effects  and  the  unpleasant  features  of  deafness. 
The  groping  of  the  blind  always  excites  sympathy. 
The  inability  of  the  deaf  to  understand  unfortunately 
seldom  makes  much  impression.  It  does  not  require 
great  imagination  to  feel  for  those  who  are  blind,  be- 
cause the  pathos  of  their  loss  is  so  self-evident.  But 
few  are  moved  fully  to  sympathize  with  deaf  persons, 
since  their  loss  and  discomfort  are  not  so  noticeable. 
Very  deaf  persons  speak  in  abnormally  loud  or  in  ex- 
tremely low  tones,  because  they  cannot  hear  themselves. 
Often  they  are  troubled  by  roaring  and  other  unnatural 


THE  EARS  275 

sounds  in  the  ears  that  must  have  an  unpleasant  effect 
on  the  entire  nervous  system. 

They  are  also  sensitive  and  shy,  frequently  imagining 
that  others  are  having  fun  at  their  expense,  and  even 
becoming  morbid  and  melancholy  as  a  result  of  their 
affliction.  We  have  learned  how  even  slight  careless- 
ness may  cause  some  or  all  of  these  great  misfortunes. 
May  the  knowledge  we  have  gained  lead  us  to  keep 
our  ears  healthy  and  serviceable  as  long  as  we  live. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

REST    AND    SLEEP 

"You  must  not  burn  the  candle  at  both  ends/'  is  a 
caution  often  heard.  In  other  words,  work  and  play 
must  be  followed  by  sufficient  rest  and  sleep,  or  serious 
consequences  will  result.  During  sleep  the  brain  and 
all  other  parts  of  the  body  rest  and  regain  lost  strength. 
Therefore,  if  we  do  not  sleep  enough,  the  body  cannot 
be  in  its  best  condition,  for  it  has  not  had  a  chance 
to  get  fully  rested. 

But  how  much  sleep  is  necessary?  That  depends 
on  one's  age  and  various  other  conditions.  A  very 
little  baby  usually  sleeps  a  large  part  of  the  day. 
Growing  children  need  from  fifteen  to  nine  hours  daily, 
the  number  decreasing  as  age  advances.  Adults  should 
sleep  from  eight  to  ten  hours.  Provided  our  bedtime 
is  early  enough,  it  is  a  safe  rule  to  sleep  as  long  as  we 
are  naturally  inclined.  If  we  awake  fully  refreshed  and 
rested  in  a  shorter  time  than  is  ordinarily  needed,  that 
period  is  sufficient.  However,  it  is  very  unwise  to 
decide,  after  a  short  experiment,  that  we  can  get  along 
well  on  an  unusually  small  number  of  hours'  sleep. 
While  for  a  time  there  might  be  no  serious  consequences 

276 


BEST  AND   SLEEP  277 

from  such  a  practice,  loss  of  strength  and  vitality  is 
quite  likely  to  come  if  it  is  continued.  It  is  far  wiser 
and  more  economical,  in  the  long  run,  to  exceed  rather 
than  to  cut  short  the  sleeping  hours  ordinarily  consid- 
ered necessary.  When  we  feel  ill  or  nervous,  it  may 
even  happen  that  quietly  resting  in  bed  a  few  hours 
or  days  will  completely  restore  our  strength. 

Certain  conditions  help  the  body  to  gain  the  greatest 
possible  benefit  from  sleep.  The  first  is  a  plentiful 
supply  of  pure,  cool  air.  One  may  sleep  all  night  with 
windows  closed,  because  of  wintry  atmosphere  outside, 
and  yet  feel  languid  and  nervous  in  the  morning. 
This  is  because  the  large  amount  of  carbonic  acid  gas 
in  the  room  during  the  latter  part  of  the  night  has 
had  a  depressing  effect.  A  person  may  not  wake 
once  through  a  hot  summer's  night,  and  still  not  be 
rested  next  day,  for,  even  with  wide-open  windows, 
there  may  not  have  been  sufficient  circulation  of  air  to 
keep  the  atmosphere  pure  and  bracing.  A  sleeping- 
room  having  two  or  more  windows  should  always  be 
preferred  to  a  chamber  with  but  one,  as  good  ventila- 
tion is  much  more  easily  secured,  especially  in  summer. 

Then  there  should  be  just  enough  bed  clothing  to 
keep  the  body  comfortably  warm.  An  unnecessarily 
heavy  covering  is  too  warm,  and  does  not  afford  suffi- 
cient chance  for  air  to  circulate  near  the  skin.  Usually 
it  is  well  to  sleep  with  the  head  on  a  low  pillow.  A 
firm,  compact  mattress  is  also  more  hygienic  than  the 
feather  and  straw  ticks  that  were  formerly  in  com- 


278        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

mon  use.     Of  course  we  should  not  sleep  with  bed- 
clothing  over  the  head  if  we  want  to  breathe  pure  air. 

"Early  to  bed  and  early  to  rise"  is  unquestionably  a 
good  motto,  for  it  is  more  natural  to  sleep  at  night  than 
by  daylight.  While  nearly  all  healthy  persons  can 
get  accustomed  to  almost  any  conditions,  quiet  sur- 
roundings are  more  favorable  to  restful  sleep  than  are 
the  opposite.  Habit  is  a  powerful  factor  in  sleeping 
as  well  as  in  other  things  the  body  has  to  do.  On  this 
account  it  is  well  to  have  a  regular  time  for  retiring  and 
rising.  We  shall  then  not  be  troubled  with  wakefulness 
when  we  go  to  bed,  nor  shall  we  need  an  alarm  clock  in 
the  morning.  Sleeping  and  waking  at  the  right  time 
will  become  simply  a  matter  of  habit. 

It  is  perhaps  needless  to  say  that  sleeping  with 
a  person  who  has  a  contagious  disease  is  dangerous. 
Another  fact  not  as  well  understood  is  that  children 
should  not  sleep  with  invalids  or  with  very  old  per- 
sons. With  no  apparent  cause,  children  who  do  so 
have  gradually  become  weak  and  sickly.  If,  on  ac- 
count of  a  doctor's  advice,  or  for  any  other  cause,  the 
practice  of  sleeping  with  the  older  person  is  discon- 
tinued, the  child  has  usually  regained  health  and 
vigor.  Wherever  it  is  possible,  it  is  well,  for  many 
good  reasons,  that  children  should  sleep  alone. 

As  a  rule,  growing  children  are  not  troubled  with 
insomnia  (sleeplessness).  Their  difficulty,  as  far  as 
sleep  is  concerned,  is  to  wake  up  at  the  required  time 
in  the  morning.  Adults,  however,  sometimes  get  into 


REST  AND  SLEEP  279 

a  state  of  serious  sleeplessness.  Perhaps  they  lie 
awake  a  long  time  after  going  to  bed,  or  maybe  wake 
up  far  too  early  in  the  morning.  Possibly  the  wake- 
fulness  continues  through  the  greater  part  of  the  night. 
The  body's  reclining  position  and  lack  of  effort  may 
be  restful  to  their  muscles,  but  their  brains  get  little 
rest  without  sleep.  People  thus  affected  may  continue 
their  regular  duties  for  a  long  time.  They  cannot, 
however,  work  with  their  accustomed  skill  or  vigor. 
Nor,  if  regular  habits  of  sleep  are  not  restored,  can 
they  escape  the  nervous  prostration  or  other  break- 
down that  is  sure  to  follow. 

Sleeplessness  is  thought  to  be  caused  by  some  dis- 
order of  the  circulation.  It  may  be  too  much  blood 
in  the  head.  Perhaps  some  digestive  difficulty  causes 
an  uncomfortable  accumulation  of  gas,  or  there  is  some 
nervous  irritation.  Plain  food  and  fresh  air  purify  the 
blood  and  strengthen  the  circulation.  Hence  both  are 
conducive  to  sleep.  It  is  also  true  that  indigestible 
foods  and  impure  air  help  to  bring  on  sleepless  con- 
ditions. Hard  study  or  other  difficult  or  exciting 
mental  work  just  before  retiring,  draws  an  extra  sup- 
ply of  blood  to  the  head,  and  so  it  should  not  be  done 
by  any  one  inclined  to  wakefulness.  For  a  similar 
reason,  worry,  which  is  a  common  cause  of  sleepless- 
ness, should  be  carefully  guarded  against.  Forget 
both  work  and  worry  is  a  good  rule  for  any  one  to  put 
into  practice  on  retiring  at  night. 

It  also  naturally  follows  that  anything  which  draws 


280        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

extra  blood  from  the  head  to  the  other  parts  of  the 
body  tends  to  prevent  being  wakeful.  Light  exercise, 
a  warm  bath,  or  soaking  the  feet  in  warm  water  are 
among  the  most  useful  practices  of  this  kind  just 
before  going  to  bed.  Some  also  find  that  a  glass  of 
hot  milk  or  other  simple  food  taken  at  bedtime  accom- 
plishes the  same  purpose,  as  it  calls  blood  to  the 
stomach.  However,  neither  rich  food  nor  a  hearty 
meal  late  at  night  is  conducive  to  restful  sleep. 

People  whose  occupation  requires  chiefly  mental  ef- 
fort are  much  more  likely  to  be  troubled  with  sleepless- 
ness than  those  engaged  in  physical  labor.  Therefore 
such  people  should  not  neglect  to  take  enough  physical 
exercise  to  keep  their  circulation  even  and  active.  In 
fact,  whatever  tends  to  keep  the  body  in  a  normal, 
healthy  condition  induces  restful  sleep.  Notice  how 
peacefully  a  little  child  sleeps.  Not  a  muscle  is  tense. 
If  you  try  to  lift  him  while  sleeping,  he  is  almost  as 
limp  as  a  rag.  By  fully  relaxing  the  muscles  in  a 
similar  way,  adults,  too,  may  help  to  bring  sound  sleep. 

Pupils  sometimes  sit  up  late  at  night  studying  for 
next  day's  examination.  They  try  to  cram  all  possible 
information  into  their  minds,  expecting  to  be  better 
prepared  for  the  questions.  Why  is  this  an  unwise 
investment  of  time?  Simply  because  the  brain  does 
an  extra  large  amount  of  work  without  having  a  suffi- 
cient chance  to  get  rested.  How  much  more  sensible 
it  is  to  give  the  brain  its  usual  rest !  Then  nervous- 
ness will  not  prevent  memory  and  reason  from  doing 


REST  AND  SLEEP  281 

their  best  next  day,  for  the  brain  will  be  clear  and 
strong. 

In  some  cities  much  is  heard  about  children's 
breaking  down  in  health.  Parents  and  doctors  fre- 
quently say  school  work  is  to  blame  for  this.  They 
declare  there  are  too  many  studies  or  that  too  much 
home  study  is  required.  Nevertheless,  the  difficulty  is 
often  one  that  can  be  corrected  only  at  home.  It  may 
be  due  to  lack  of  nutritious  food  or  to  incorrect  eating 
habits.  Often  the  trouble  is  too  much  candy.  Perhaps 
there  is  not  enough  out-of-door  play  before  and  after 
school,  or  maybe  the  sleeping-room  is  kept  too  warm 
or  is  not  well  ventilated.  Very  often,  instead  of  going 
to  bed  at  nine  o'clock  or  before,  dancing  school,  theater, 
or  parties  cause  sleep  to  be  postponed  until  a  much 
later  hour  than  usual.  How  wise  are  the  parents  who 
insist  that  if  such  pleasures  are  indulged  in  at  all 
during  the  school  year,  they  shall  be  allowed  only  on 
Friday  or  Saturday  nights. 

Young  men  and  women  sometimes  have  the  foolish 
notion  that  they  can  study  or  work  till  very  late  at 
night  and  resume  the  same  or  other  work  very  early 
in  the  morning.  They  are  young  and  strong  and 
perhaps  have  rarely  been  ill.  They  are  ambitious 
to  excel  or  to  advance  rapidly.  "  Surely  no  one  so 
strong  and  well  can  be  injured  by  the  loss  of  sleep," 
they  think.  Unfortunately  many  have  found  that 
thus  burning  the  candle  at  both  ends  did  not  jpay. 
Knowledge  got  at  the  price  of  health  profits  little. 


282        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

Grades  skipped  at  school  through  cutting  off  needed 
rest  at  night  are  a  poor  bargain  when,  as  is  often 
the  case,  nervousness  and  ill  health  are  among  the 
consequences. 

About  three  hundred  years  ago,  Cervantes,  a  well- 
known  Spanish  author,  made  one  of  the  characters 
of  his  most  famous  book  say:  "Now  blessings 
light  on  him  that  first  invented  sleep.  It  is  the  cloak 
that  covers  men's  thoughts.  It  is  meat  for  the  hungry, 
drink  for  the  thirsty,  cold  for  the  hot,  and  heat  for  the 
cold.  It  is  the  money  that  purchases  all  the  pleasures 
of  the  world  cheap.  It  is  the  balance  and  weight  that 
equals  the  shepherd  with  the  king,  the  simple  with 
the  wise."  Carefully  study  the  meaning  of  this  quota- 
tion, and  decide  whether  the  same  benefits  might  not 
be  justly  claimed  for  sleep  to-day.  An  American 
poet,  John  G.  Whittier,  includes  "Sleep  that  wakes 
with  laughing  day"  among  the  greatest  joys  of  the 
barefoot  boy.  By  remembering  the  value  of  such 
sleep,  and  daily  allowing  ourselves  a  reasonable  amount, 
can  we  not  keep  it  among  our  precious  possessions? 


,      CHAPTER  XXVI 

HOW    TO    PROTECT    JACK'S     HOUSE  —  WHAT    TO     DO    IN 
EMERGENCIES 

JACK'S  House  may  receive  hurts  that  ordinarily  do 
no  lasting  harm,  but,  if  not  taken  care  of  properly, 
are  likely  to  cause  permanent  damage.  It  may  also 
meet  with  injuries  so  severe  that  to  know  what  to  do 
until  a  doctor  conies  is  of  great  value.  While  many 
go  through  life  without  having  such  misfortunes, 
persons  in  every  occupation  are  liable  to  them. 
Certainly  any  one  who  knows  how  to  do  the  right 
thing  at  the  right  time  may  be  of  great  service ;  and, 
by  being  careful,  all  may  prevent  their  own  slight 
injuries  from  becoming  serious. 

Cuts  are  among  the  most  common  injuries  to  the 
body.  As  a  rule,  if  not  deep,  the  blood  soon  thickens 
over  such  wounds,  arid  healing  is  only  a  question  of 
time.  If  the  wound  is  made  by  something  dirty,  or 
if  the  surface  under  the  skin  is  left  exposed  to  the  air, 
germs  may  get  in  that  will  cause  inflammation  and 
serious  trouble.  It  is  wise  immediately  to  cleanse 
such  wounds,  and  then  wrap  them  up  with  gauze  or 
muslin  cloth.  When  they  are  neglected,  long-con- 

283 


284        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

tinned  inflammation  and  soreness  may  ensue  and 
sometimes  even  blood  poison  may  develop.  Blood 
poisoning  has  often  compelled  the  amputation  of  a  part 
or  a  whole  of  an  arm  or  a  leg,  and  is  not  an  infrequent 
cause  of  death. 

Cuts  are  sometimes  deep  enough  to  sever  a  vein. 
Persons  thus  injured  should  lie  down  and  have  clean, 
cold,  damp  cloths  pressed  firmly  against  the  wound. 
This  will  often  stop  the  bleeding  or  cause  it  to  be 
retarded  until  some  one  comes  who  knows  just  what 
to  do.  If  the  doctor's  arrival  is  long  delayed  and  the 
loss  of  blood  seems  alarming,  a  bandage  may  be  fastened 
on  firmly  enough  to  stop  the  flow  of  blood.  It  should 
not,  however,  be  placed  between  the  wound  and  the 
heart.  The  dark  color  and  the^  steady  flow  of  blood 
indicate  that  a  vein  has  been 
cut.  When  an  artery  has  been 
severed,  the  blood  is  of  a  bright 
red  color  and  comes  out  in  jets. 

When   a  wound  is  deep  enough 

Jrtery--\  Pljg^^^     to    cut    an  artery,  if  it  be  in    an 
arm  or  a  leg,  the  following  is  an 
excellent  way  to  stop   the  bleed- 
ing.     Make    a    pad     of    a    towel 
or     something     round     and     hard 
Knot  t^d^tArte'y  tied  in  a  cloth.     Bind    this  with 
a  handkerchief   around    the    limb 
near  the  wound  and  between  it  and  the  heart.     If 
such  a  bandage  does  not  stop  the  bleeding,  loosen  the 


EMERGENCIES  285 

handkerchief  enough  to  slip  in  a  strong,  round  stick. 
This  may  be  twisted  around  until  pressure  stops  the 
flow  of  blood.  The  stick  may  be  kept  from  untwist- 
ing by  tying  it  to  the  injured  limb.  This  is  called  a 
Spanish  windlass  or  tourniquet  and  by  it  one  can  get 
great  pressure.  Holding  a  wounded  arm  above  the 
head  will  help  to  stop  the  flow  of  blood.  If  one  of 
the  lower  limbs  is  cut,  lying  down  on  the  ground  or 
floor  and  supporting  the  limb  on  a  chair  or  something 
of  equal  height  will  be  helpful.  A  physician  should 
always  be  summoned  in  case  of  severe  bleeding,  for 
the  judgment  of  an  inexperienced  person  as  to  whether 
an  artery  or  a  vein  has  been  cut  might  not  be  safe. 

When  companions  are  present,  and  the  hurt  is  where 
a  tight  bandage  will  not  be  effective,  one  should 
thrust  a  clean  cloth  against  the  wound  and  press  hard, 
while  another  hastens  for  a  doctor.  If  a  person 
receives  a  severe  cut  while  out  of  doors  alone,  one  of 
the  best  plans  is  to  press  the  cleanest  cloth  he  has 
against  the  wound  and  hold  it  there  firmly  until  he 
finds  assistance.  Of  one  thing  we  may  be  certain, 
bleeding  from  any  wound  must  be  stopped,  or  our 
wonderful  river  of  life  will  be  exhausted  and  death 
will  ensue.  Instead  of  being  frightened  or  fainting 
at  the  sight  of  blood,  we  should  have  the  good  sense 
to  check  its  flow  until  some  one  can  stop  it.  Pressure 
will  usually  do  this,  if  enough  is  used  at  the  right 
place.  Bleeding  from  the  nose  may  often  be  stopped 
by  sitting  upright,  bathing  the  he-ad  and  neck  with 


286        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

cold  water,  or  applying  cold  to  the  nose.  If  these 
simple  remedies  fail,  a  doctor  should  be  sent  for  with- 
out delay. 

Sometimes  a  severe  blow  does  not  break  through 
the  skin,  but  wounds  the  soft  tissues  below  it,  causing 
bleeding  and  discoloration  under  the  skin.  What 
is  commonly  spoken  of  as  a  " black  eye"  is  a  familiar 
example.  To  such  a  bruise,  apply  hot  water  first  and 
afterward  cold.  When  a  cut  is  wide,  the  edges  should 
be  fastened  close  together  so  that  a  scar  will  not  be 
left  to  disfigure  the  skin.  A  doctor  should  put  some 
stitches  in  such  wounds,  for  otherwise  a  scar  is  likely 
to  remain. 

Another  common  injury  to  our  bodies  comes  from 
the  effect  of  too  great  heat.  The  simplest  and 
best  home  remedy  is  to  bind  on  powdered  baking 
soda  with  damp  cloths.  Sweet  oil  or  vaseline  may  be 
applied  later.  When  the  burned  surface  is  large,  a 
physician  should  be  immediately  summoned,  as  the 
danger  of  serious  results  is  often  great.  When  cloth- 
ing accidentally  takes  fire,  the  best  thing  to  do  is  to 
smother  the  flame  by  wrapping  oneself  up  in  a  quilt, 
coat,  or  any  other  heavy  covering  that  is  at  hand. 
This  keeps  the  air  away,  and  fire  cannot  burn  without 
air.  To  become  frightened  and  run  is  the  very  worst 
mistake  to  make,  because  it  gives  the  air  the  very 
best  chance. 

Burns  from  oil  of  vitriol  or  other  strong  acids  should 
be  treated  with  limewater,  soda  and  water,  or  a  so- 


EMERGENCIES  287 

lution  of  any  other  alkaline  substance  that  can  be 
obtained  most  quickly.  Water  containing  vinegar, 
lemon  juice,  or  other  readily  obtained  acid  should  be 
applied  to  burns  caused  by  lye,  lime,  or  other  alkalies. 
These  are  the  best  remedies  to  use  in  such  cases, 
because  acids  and  alkalies  neutralize  each  other;  that 
is,  they  make  each  other  incapable  of  having  the 
effect  that  each  might  have  alone.  Severe  burns 
caused  by  either  are  so  serious  that  no  time  should 
be  lost  in  getting  a  physician.  Children  should  never 
touch  electric  wires,  for  serious  injury  and  even  death 
may  result  from  coming  in  contact  with  them. 

Sunstroke  is  another  injury  from  heat  to  which 
Jack's  House  is  subject.  It  usually  occurs  on  a  hot, 
muggy  day.  Often  it  is  preceded  by  pains  in  the 
head  and  a  general  feeling  of  oppression  which  result 
finally  in  a  loss  of  consciousness  with  heavy,  labored 
breathing  and  very  dry,  hot  skin.  The  patient  should 
be  taken  to  a  cool  place,  and  his  clothing  should  be 
removed.  Sunstroke  is  often  followed  by  permanent 
injury  to  the  mind,  so  a  physician  cannot  be  too 
quickly  summoned.  Absence  of  perspiration  in  the 
presence  of  great  heat  is  often  the  cause  of  sunstroke. 
Therefore,  while  one  is  perspiring  freely,  such  misfor- 
tune is  less  likely. 

People  are  sometimes  exhausted  by  heat  when 
the  cause  is  not  sunstroke,  but  the  depressing  effect 
of  long-continued  high  temperature  on  the  system. 
This  is  called  heat  exhaustion.  In  such  cases  the  skin 


288        THE    WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

is  moist  and  cool,  instead  of  hot  and  dry.  As  in  sun- 
stroke, a  physician  should  be  obtained  as  soon  as 
possible. 

But  our  bodies  may  be  injured  by  cold  as  well  as 
by  heat.  What  relief  can  be  given  when  they  are 
frost-bitten  or  frozen?  When  only  a  small  part, 
such  as  an  ear,  a  nose,  or  a  toe  is  affected,  rubbing 
with  snow  or  with  cloths  wet  in  cold  water,  or,  as  in 
the  case  of  the  hands  or  feet,  placing  the  frozen  part 
in  cold  water  is  an  excellent  help.  When  a  larger 
portion  of  the  body  is  frozen,  rubbing,  blankets,  ex- 
tra clothing,  warm  drinks,  and,  where  the  person  still 
retains  the  power  of  motion,  exercise,  may  all  be  help- 
ful. Care  should  be  taken,  however,  not  to  bring  the 
sufferer  into  a  warm  room,  for  the  blood-vessels  of 
the  frozen  part  are  choked  and  swollen,  and,  when 
heated  suddenly,  are  likely  to  burst,  causing  unneces- 
sary suffering  and  bothersome  wounds.  After  the 
circulation  has  been  restored,  vaseline,  sweet  oil,  or 
other  healing  lotions  will  be  beneficial. 

In  a  previous  chapter  we  learned  why  the  lungs 
must  receive  a  regular  supply  of  pure  air,  and  we 
can  readily  understand  that  life  will  not  continue  if 
breathing  stops.  Drowning  is  one  of  the  common  ac- 
cidents that  stop  breathing.  As  even  the  best  swim- 
mers may  be  in  danger  of  this  misfortune,  all  should 
know  how  to  give  aid  at  such  a  time.  The  two  things 
necessary  are  to  remove  anything  that  may  obstruct 
the  entrance  of  air;  and  to  reestablish  the  movements 


EMERGENCIES  289 

of  the  chest  that  take  place  in  the  act  of  breathing. 
While  waiting  for  a  doctor,  wipe  out  the  mouth  of 
the  rescued  person  as  far  back  as  you  can  reach  with 
a  finger  covered  with  several  thicknesses  of  cloth, 
to  remove  anything  that  may  be  obstructing  the 
mouth  or  windpipe.  Strip  off  any  clothing  that  may 
hinder  breathing.  Then  turn  the  patient  on  his  face, 
and,  grasping  him  under  the  abdomen,  quickly  jog 
him  up-  and  down  to  expel  the  water  from  the  breath- 
ing passages.  To  further  assist  this  end,  rest  the 
patient's  face  on  his  arm  with  a  large  roll  of  clothing 
under  his  abdomen,  and,  placing  a  hand  on  either 
side  of  the  small  of  the  back,  press  heavily. 

Then  turn  him  on  his  back,  and  if  breathing  has 
not  commenced,  give  him  several  hard  slaps  over 
the  pit  of  the  stomach.  Artificial  respiration  should 
now  be  immediately  tried.  What  is  known  as  "Syl- 
vester's Method"  is  generally  regarded  as  the  best. 

After  wiping  out  the  mouth  and  expelling  the  water 
as  previously  directed,  place  the  patient  on  his  back, 
with  a  large  roll  of  clothing  under  his  shoulders. 

Then  pull  out  his  tongue  and  have  another  person 
hold  it  to  keep  it  from  going  back  to  obstruct  his 
windpipe.  If  no  helper  is  at  hand,  the  tongue  may 
be  held  out  by  a  rubber  band  fastened  under  the 
chin.  Another  way  is  to  push  a  pin,  needle,  or  some 
other  sharp  instrument  through  the  tongue  about  half 
an  inch  from  the  tip.  This  will  rest  against  the  upper 
and  lower  lips  and  keep  the  tongue  from  falling  back. 


290        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 


Then,  kneeling  behind  the  person's  head,  grasp  his 
arms  halfway  between  the  elbows  and  wrist,  draw 
them  quickly  and  steadily  up  over  his  head  until  his 
hands  touch  the  ground  behind,  and  keep  them  there 
about  two  seconds,  as  in  the  cut.  This  motion,  by 

drawing  the  ribs 
upward,  expands 
the  chest  and 
causes  air  to  enter. 
Then  move  the 
arms  back  until 
they  rest  against 
the  sides  of  the 
chest,  the  forearms 
a  little  on  top, 
pressing  them 
firmly  downward 
and  inward  against 

the  chest  for  about  one  second,  as  on  page  291. 
This  contracts  the  chest  cavity  and  forces  the  air  out. 
These  movements  should  be  continued  alternately 
about  sixteen  times  a  minute,  until  natural  breathing 
is  restored.  Care  should  be  taken  to  avoid  too  rapid 
artificial  respiration,  for  that  is  a  common  mistake. 
From  fourteen  to  sixteen  times  a  minute  brings  the 
best  results. 

The  first  feeble  attempts  at  natural  breathing  should 
be  aided  by  timing  the  artificial  breathing  to  it,  and 
may  be  stimulated  by  applying  ammonia  to  the  nose 


Artificial  Respiration  —  First  movement: 
Inspiration. 


EMERGENCIES 


291 


and  dashing  cold  water  on  the  chest.  While  artificial 
respiration  is  being  carried  on,  another  person  may  be 
massaging  the  legs  of  the  patient,  being  careful  to  rub 
toward  the  heart.  Warm  sand,  clothing,  hot  water, 
or  anything  else  that  is  available  may  be  used  to 
make  the  body 
warm.  Small 
doses  of  hot  drinks 
and  other  stimu- 
lants may  also  be 
given,  when  they 
can  be  swallowed 
without  difficulty. 
The  instructions 
of  the  doctor  in 


Artificial  Respiration  —  Second  movement: 
Expiration. 


regard  to  where  to 
move  the  patient 
and  when  it  will  be  safe  to  leave  him  alone  should 
be  strictly  followed,  because,  for  some  time  after 
such  an  experience,  breathing  may  suddenly  cease 
with  little  or  no  warning.  Although  a  person  may 
have  been  under  water  a  half-hour  or  more,  the 
restoration  of  breathing  should  be  attempted,  and 
should  not  be  given  up  until  a  physician  pronounces 
recovery  impossible. 

Breathing  may  also  be  stopped  by  gas  or  smoke, 
by  hanging  or  choking,  and  by  hard  substances  getting 
into  the  windpipe.  In  case  of  gas  or  smoke,  removal 
from  the  cause  is  the  first  step.  If  gas  has  been 


292        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

escaping,  a  match  should  not  be  lighted  nor  a  lamp 
brought  in,  no  matter  how  dark  a  room  may  be,  for 
injury  by  explosion  is  almost  sure  to  follow.  After 
a  suffocated  or  strangled  person  has  been  removed 
to  pure  atmosphere,  the  same  methods  for  restoring 
artificial  respiration  may  be  used  as  in  the  case  of 
one  apparently  drowned.  Where  something  has  got 
into  the  windpipe,  one  of  the  quickest  methods  of 
relief  is  to  turn  the  person  head  downward  and  give 
some  quick  hard  slaps  between  the  shoulders.  This 
is  likely  to  dislodge  the  obstruction  and  cause  it  to 
fall  out.  If  it  does  not,  a  doctor  should  be  immediately 
sent  for,  as  prompt  and  skillful  action  is  necessary. 

A  person's  fainting  often  produces  needless  excite- 
ment. As  the  cause  of  such  condition  is  too  little 
blood  in  the  brain,  the  thing  to  do  is  to  make  it  easier 
for  a  normal  supply  of  blood  to  reach  the  brain.  On 
this  account  the  best  position  for  one  who  has  fainted 
is  flat  on  the  back  with  the  head  a  little  lower  than  the 
feet,  so  that  the  heart  does  not  have  to  overcome 
the  resistance  of  gravity.  Any  clothing  about  the 
neck  or  body  should  be  unloosed,  while  smelling  salts 
are  held  to  the  nose  and  water  is  sprinkled  on  the 
forehead. 

Unconsciousness  also  results  from  severe  blows  on 
the  head,  diseases  of  the  brain,  and  shocks  to  the 
nervous  system  resulting  from  accidents  and  various 
other  causes.  A  good  rule  to  follow  until  a  physician 
arrives  is  to  lower  the  head  and  give  stimulants  when- 


EMERGENCIES  293 

ever  the  face  is  pale,  as  this  usually  indicates  the 
need  of  more  blood  in  the  head ;  but  to  raise  the  head 
and  not  give  stimulants  when  the  face  is  flushed, 
for  such  condition  indicates  too  much  blood  in  the 
head.  When  an  unconscious  person's  skin  is  cold 
and  clammy,  heat  should  be  applied  to  the  entire  body, 
especially  to  the  region  of  the  stomach  and  heart. 
An  abundance  of  pure  air  is  always  necessary  for  any 
one  in  an  unconscious  condition,  so  it  is  a  mistake  for 
others  to  crowd  around  and  keep  the  air  away. 

Another  common  injury  to  Jack's  House  comes 
from  poisoning.  Any  substance  is  poison  that  when 
taken  into  the  system  tends  to  destroy  life  or  impair 
health.  Poisonous  drugs  or  medicines  sold  at  stores 
must  bear  a  label  containing  a  picture  of  a  skull  and 
cross-bones  and  marked  "  Poison."  Such  bottles  should 
never  be  kept  where  children  can  get  at  them.  Some- 
times poisoning  results  from  eating  meat  or  fish  in 
certain  stages  of  decay.  Ice  cream,  cream  puffs,  and 
other  foods  also  occasionally  contain  poisons  called 
ptomaines. 

First  of  all,  a  physician  should  be  sent  for  when 
poisoning  is  suspected.  As  a  general  rule,  the  best 
thing  to  do  while  awaiting  his  arrival  is  to  induce 
vomiting  by  drinking  large  quantities  of  warm  water. 
If  the  poison  taken  is  known  to  be  an  acid,  some  alkali, 
such  as  limewater,  baking  soda,  tooth-powder,  soap, 
or  even  plaster  from  the  walls,  may  be  put  into  the 
water.  If  it  is  an  alkali,  some  convenient  acid,  such 


294        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

as  vinegar  or  lemon  juice,  should  be  used.  Copious 
draughts  of  milk,  raw  eggs,  or  flour  and  water 
may  be  given  after  the  vomiting  to  lessen  the  bad 
effects  of  the  poison  on  the  digestive  organs.  Where 
pallor  or  coldness  of  the  skin  is  present,  heat  and 
stimulants  may  be  used,  but  usually  a  doctor  will 
have  taken  charge  before  this  condition  exists. 

There  are  also  many  plants  that  are  poisonous 
to  the  body.  A  good  rule  for  all  is  not  to  eat  the 
berries  or  any  other  part  of  a  plant  or  shrub  not 
absolutely  known  to  be  harmless.  The  berries 
may  appear  tempting  and  perhaps  seem  pleasant  to 
the  taste.  The  root  of  the  plant  may  be  very  similar 
to  some  well-known  cultivated  vegetable,  and  yet 
either  the  berries  or  the  root  may  be  very  poisonous. 

Perhaps  few  plants  give  boys  more  bother  and 
discomfort  than  poison  ivy.  It  is  an  ornamental  vine, 
bearing  its  leaves  in  clusters  of  three  and  gracefully 
spreading  over  the  neighboring  ground  and  shrubbery. 
Its  grayish  white  colored  berries  are  poisonous,  but 
it  is  not  through  these  that  its  mischief  is  usually  done. 
The  whole  plant  has  the  power  when  touched,  or  some- 
times when  even  approached,  of  exciting  a  swollen,  irri- 
tated condition  of  the  skin.  In  case  of  such  poisoning, 
witch-hazel  and  other  healing  lotions  have  a  soothing 
effect. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

HOW   TO    PROTECT    JACK'S    HOUSE    FROM    CONTAGIOUS 
DISEASES  —  CONSUMPTION 

IN  a  previous  chapter  we  learned  how  minute  plants 
are  destructive  to  foods.  There  are  also  tiny  plants 
and  animals  that  are  injurious  to  our  bodies  for 
the  reason  that  they  cause  disease.  Consumption, 
pneumonia,  diphtheria,  typhoid  fever,  malaria,  in- 
fluenza, and  colds  are  some  of  the  common  diseases 
that  are  due  to  these  tiny  plants  or  animals.  These 
minute  organisms  do  not  thrive,  as  a  rule,  in  healthy, 
vigorous  body  tissue.  But  if  they  get  into  an  organ 
or  some  part  of  the  body,  when,  on  account  of  ex- 
posure, over  exertion,  lack  of  nutrition,  loss  of  sleep, 
or  any  other  cause,  it  is  not  able  to  resist,  then,  mul- 
tiplying rapidly,  they  produce  disease. 

The  rapidity  with  which  certain  of  these  organisms 
can  multiply  under  favorable  conditions  is  most  re- 
markable, specialists  estimating  that  one  can  increase 
to  a  colony  of  several  millions  in  twenty-four  hours. 
In  consumption,  pneumonia,  influenza,  and  colds,  the 
organisms  are  in  the  lungs  or  air  passages,  and  so 
are  ejected  with  expectoration.  In  typhoid  fever  they 
are  present  in  the  intestines,  and  pass  out  with  the 

295 


296        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

waste  from  the  bowels.  In  smallpox,  scarlet  fever, 
measles,  and  some  other  diseases  they  are  contained 
in  particles  given  off  from  the  skin.  They  may  get 
from  one  body  into  another  in  milk,  water,  or  solid 
food.  After  being  dried,  these  organisms  become  so 
light  as  to  float  easily  in  the  air.  Hence  they  may 
be  taken  by  one  in  the  same  house  with  a  sick  person, 
or  carried  on  clothing  from  one  house  to  another,  and 
in  some  diseases  infect  persons  living  in  the  latter. 

A  fly  alighting  on  some  substance  or  object  contain- 
ing disease  germs  may  take  them  up  and  deposit 
them  on  food,  and  of  course  a  person  eating  the  food 
will  get  the  deposit  in  his  stomach.  The  very  best 
way  to  protect  the  body  against  such  enemies  is  to 
keep  it  in  vigorous  health,  for  then  they  are  not  likely 
to  do  harm.  As  we  have  learned,  the  very  best 
way  of  keeping  such  health  is  to  be  wise  in  our  use 
of  pure  air,  water,  nourishing  food,  exercise,  and  rest. 

Since  there  are  times  when  we  may  be  unable  to 
resist  attacks  of  disease  germs,  it  is  wise  to  do  all 
that  is  possible  to  destroy  any  that  may  come  from 
a  person  having  one  of  these  diseases.  Boiling  water, 
steam,  solutions  of  carbolic  acid,  and  formaldehyde 
are  some  of  the  agents  commonly  used  for  this  pur- 
pose. During  the  period  in  which  there  is  danger  of 
contagion,  the  patient  should  usually  occupy  an 
upper  room  of  the  house  away  from  other  members 
of  the  family,  and  as  few  as  possible  should  wait 
on  him. 


CONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  297 

If  the  disease  is  one  in  which  infection  from  ex- 
pectoration is  possible,  all  sputum  should  be  deposited 
where  it  can  be  soon  destroyed.  There  have  been 
invented  small  covered  spittoons  holding  paper  cups 
that  are  excellent  in  such  cases.  The  expectoration 
is  deposited  in  the  paper  cup,  which  should  be 
renewed  daily  or  oftener,  the  old  one  being  im- 
mediately destroyed  by  burning.  If  an  ordinary  spit- 
toon is  used,  it  should  contain  a  five  per  cent  solution 
of  carbolic  acid  (three  teaspoonfuls  to  a  glass  of 
water),  and  should  be  washed  daily  in  boiling  hot 
water.  There  are  also  patent  pocket  flasks  that 
patients  may  carry  with  them  when  away  from  home, 
but  these  must  be  frequently  disinfected.  When  a 
patient  is  coughing,  small  particles  of  expectoration 
often  fly  into  the  face  of  an  attendant  or  into  the 
surrounding  atmosphere.  A  paper  napkin  or  cloths 
that  may  be  immediately  burned  should  be  held  in 
front  of  the  mouth  to  prevent  the  disease  from  spread- 
ing in  this  way.  As  expectoration  dries  very  quickly 
on  cloths,  they  should  not  be  carried  in  the  pockets, 
but  should  be  burned  at  once. 

In  typhoid  fever,  the  bed-pan  and  similar  articles 
should  contain  a  solution  of  carbolic  acid.  These 
should  also  be  frequently  cleansed  in  boiling  water. 
This  precaution  is  likewise  a  good  one  to  take  in 
diseases  where  the  infecting  organism  comes  from  the 
surface  of  the  body.  All  clothing  used  by  the  patients 
or  those  attending  them  should  be  handled  by  itself 


298        THE    WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

and  washed  in  boiling  hot  water.  Dishes  and  other 
utensils  for  food  should  also  be  reserved  for  their 
especial  use,  and  should  be  washed  separately.  In 
short,  every  possible  precaution  that  may  help  to 
prevent  infection  should  be  taken. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  illness,  all  rugs,  draperies, 
pictures,  contents  of  bureau  drawers,  and  any  other 
favorable  lodging  places  for  germs  should  be  removed. 
During  its  continuance  the  room  should  be  cleaned 
by  wiping  up  the  dust  with  cloths  moistened  in  a 
solution  of  carbolic  acid,  and  these  should  afterward 
be  burned.  All  instructions  given  by  the  doctor  in 
regard  to  burning  bedding  and  other  articles,  and 
disinfecting  and  redecorating  the  bedroom,  should 
be  faithfully  followed,  as  some  germs  may  be  able  to 
cause  disease  for  months  afterward. 

Probably  all  villages  and  cities  have  a  health  officer. 
One  of  the  most  important  duties  of  this  official  is 
to  see  that  due  precautions  are  taken  to  prevent  the 
spread  of  diseases.  Physicians  are  required  to  report 
cases  of  contagious  diseases  to  him,  and  he  notifies 
school  principals  of  the  houses  in  which  such  diseases 
exist.  Children  from  these  homes  are  then  com- 
pelled to  stay  out  of  school  until  they  bring  a  permit 
stating  that  danger  of  contagion  is  past.  Pupils  are 
excluded  from  school  on  account  of  mumps,  whooping 
cough,  and  all  diseases  of  the  skin  and  eye,  as  well 
as  diphtheria,  smallpox,  scarlet  fever,  and  measles. 
In  the  most  serious  of  these  diseases  the  families  are 


CONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  299 

warned  not  to  attend  church  or  other  public  gatherings, 
and,  as  far  as  possible,  not  to  mingle  with  others  during 
the  period  of  danger.  In  cases  of  smallpox,  scarlet  fever, 
and  diphtheria,  placards  are  placed  on  the  patients' 
houses  to  warn  the  public  that  the  dangerous  disease 
is  within.  Such  cards  must  not  be  removed  until 
the  health  officer  or  one  of  his  assistants  is  satisfied 
that  there  is  no  longer  danger  of  contagion.  These 
officers  are  also  expected  to  see  that  there  is  proper 
disinfection  of  the  room  and  premises  afterward. 

While  some  people  have  had  smallpox,  scarlet  fever, 
or  measles  two  or  three  times,  having  had  any  one 
of  them  once  seems,  as  a  rule,  to  make  one  immune 
from  a  second  attack  of  the  same  disease.  It  is  well 
known  that  we  can  protect  ourselves  from  smallpox 
by  vaccination.  In  many  cities,  children  must  be 
vaccinated  before  they  enter  school,  and  again  in  four 
or  five  years.  It  is  also  wise  to  be  revaccinated  later 
in  life  whenever  one  is  where  a  smallpox  epidemic 
prevails. 

Some  children  and  parents  try  to  evade  vaccination. 
This  seems  a  very  foolish  thing  to  do,  because  results 
show  that  its  benefits  have  been  great.  In  the  year 
1900,  the  deaths  in  the  United  States  from  smallpox, 
according  to  the  census  returns,  numbered  three 
thousand  four  hundred  eighty-four.  If  the  rate  had 
equalled  that  of  England  and  Wales  before  the  dis- 
covery of  vaccination,  the  number  would  have  been 
two  hundred  sixteen  thousand.  In  the  latter  two 


300        THE    WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

countries,  before  vaccination  was  discovered,  the 
number  of  deaths  from  smallpox  annually  averaged 
about  three  thousand  to  a  million  inhabitants.  Less 
than  a  hundred  years  later,  in  1890,  their  records 
showed  that  the  deaths  from  smallpox  for  an  entire 
year  were  only  fifteen.  In  Germany,  where  the 
vaccination  of  infants  is  compulsory  and  children 
must  be  revaccinated  at  the  age  of  twelve,  smallpox 
is  almost  unknown.  A  few  days  of  sore  arm  or  leg 
and  some  little  discomfort  are  the  only  unpleasant 
effects  usually  following  successful  vaccination. 

Unfortunately  people  are  often  very  careless  about 
mingling  with  others  in  public  places  when  some 
member  of  their  own  family  has  a  contagious  disease. 
The  neighbors  and  acquaintances  of  such  inconsiderate 
folk  should  not  hesitate  to  avoid  them  nor  to  report 
their  names  to  the  proper  authorities  for  such  negli- 
gence. We  get  out  of  the  way  of  a  rnad  dog  quickly, 
nor  do  we  consciously  allow  ourselves  to  be  burned 
by  fire.  Surely  we  should  be  just  as  particular  to 
protect  our  bodies  from  contagious  diseases  which 
may  do  even  greater  harm.  Rules  of  health  depart- 
ments are  made  by  men  of  wisdom  and  experience 
for  the  benefit  of  the  entire  community.  All  should 
obey  their  instructions  without  hesitation  and  as 
faithfully  as  possible. 

Certain  diseases,  such  as  smallpox,  usually  make 
one  very  ill  rapidly,  and  their  danger  is  well  known. 
Consequently  the  advice  of  a  physician  is;  as  a  rule, 


CONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  301 

quickly  sought,  and  his  instructions  are  carefully 
obeyed.  But  there  is  a  contagious  disease  far  more 
common,  to  which  but  little  heed  is  often  given  until 
too  late.  This  disease,  tuberculosis  of  the  lungs,  com- 
monly called  consumption,  is  so  fatal  throughout  the 
civilized  world  that  it  is  often  spoken  of  as  "  The  Great 
White  Plague."  Statistics  show  that  about  twelve 
deaths  out  of  every  hundred  occurring  in  the  United 
States  result  from  this  disease.  In  New  York  State 
during  the  year  1899,  the  deaths  from  consumption 
alone  were  thirteen  thousand  four  hundred  twelve, 
while  the  total  number  from  smallpox,  typhoid  fever, 
diphtheria,  croup,  measles,  and  whooping-cough  was 
only  six  thousand  seven  hundred  eighty-three.  These 
figures  unquestionably  show  the  terrible  danger  from 
"The  Great  White  Plague"  and  why  our  bodies 
should  be  more  carefully  guarded  against  it. 

The  following  information  concerning  this  greatest 
body  destroyer  may  help  in  protecting  our  bodies  from 
its  ravages.  While  there  is  a  type  called  quick  or  gallop- 
ing consumption,  which  develops  with  great  rapidity 
and  often  ends  fatally  in  a  comparatively  short  time, 
this  form  is  not  common.  In  the  great  majority  of 
cases  the  progress  of  the  disease  is  slow,  lasting  for 
months  or  years,  and,  along  with  the  periods  of  tem- 
porary improvement,  there  is,  without  proper  care, 
gradual  progress  to  a  fatal  issue.  As  we  have  learned, 
the  bacilli  must  have  got  their  start  at  a  time  when 
the  body's  vitality  was  lowered  because  of  some 


302        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

illness,  too  long-continued  over-exertion,  lack  of  nutri- 
tion, loss  of  sleep,  or  some  other  condition  that  tends 
to  make  one  less  able  to  resist  attack. 

The  usual  beginning  place  of  the  bacilli's  work  is 
in  the  topmost  part,  called  the  apex,  of  either  one  or 
both  lungs.  If  the  disease  is  not  arrested,  it  spreads 
to  other  parts  of  the  lungs.  Should  the  vitality  of 
the  patient  not  be  restored  to  such  a  degree  that  the 
bacilli  cannot  go  on  with  their  work,  lung  tissue  will 
be  destroyed,  cavities  will  be  formed,  and  finally  death 
will  result. 

Occasionally  an  early  warning  of  the  disease  comes 
from  the  spitting  of  blood.  More  commonly,  how- 
ever, its  progress  is  so  slow  and  insidious  as  to  escape 
notice  for  a  considerable  time.  The  patient's  friends 
may  observe  his  gradual  loss  of  flesh,  and  he  himself 
may  be  conscious  of  becoming  weak  and  tired  more 
easily  than  was  usual  with  him.  He  has  a  persist- 
ent cough,  either  at  intervals  during  the  day,  or  per- 
haps only  at  night  and  on  rising  in  the  morning;  and 
his  reply  to  the  inquiries  of  solicitous  friends  is  that 
he  never  had  a  cold  hang  on  like  this  one.  There 
may  be  occasional  slight  pains  in  the  chest,  shoulders, 
and  back,  though  these  often  do  not  occur  or  are  not 
noticed. 

Feverish  symptoms,  indicated  by  rise  of  the  body 
temperature  above  its  normal  point,  ninety-eight  and 
six-tenths  degrees,  in  the  afternoons  and  particularly 
in  the  evenings,  may  be  present  from  an  early  period. 


CONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  303 

This  daily  rise  in  temperature,  together  with  the  per- 
sistent cough  and  loss  in  flesh  and  strength,  are  such 
marked  signs  of  consumption  that  no  time  should  be 
lost  in  having  a  physician  give  the  lungs  and  expecto- 
ration a  thorough  examination.  Every  home  should 
possess  a  clinical  thermometer  (the  small  kind  used  to 
take  the  body's  temperature),  which  some  members  of 
the  family  should  learn  to  use.  Such  a  thermometer 
is  placed  under  the  lower  part  of  the  tongue  and  left 
there  three  or  four  minutes,  the  lips  being  kept  tightly 
closed.  If,  when  it  is  taken  out,  the  mercury  has 
risen  higher  than  ninety-eight  and  six-tenths  degrees 
it  is  evidence  of  fever. 

The  higher  the  temperature  the  greater  the  fever, 
and  the  more  serious  the  condition  of  the  sick  person. 
Any  one  whose  temperature  is  above  normal  is  not  in 
fit  condition  for  work.  If,  after  rest,  such  temperature 
continues,  especially  when  other  alarming  symptoms  are 
present,  a  doctor  should  be  consulted.  A  temperature 
of  one  hundred  four  degrees  is  very  high.  A  person 
becomes  delirious  at  one  hundred  five  degrees,  and  at 
one  hundred  six  degrees  death  may  ensue.  A  tem- 
perature below  normal  should  also  receive  attention, 
if  found  afternoons  or  evenings.  The  temperature 
of  a  sick  person  is  likely  to  be  lower  in  the  morning, 
and  higher  towards  evening,  than  at  other  times. 
A  record  of  a  patient's  temperature  at  various  times 
of  the  day  is  one  of  the  most  important  sources  of 
information  by  which  physicians  watch  the  progress  of 


304       THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

the  disease  and  judge  whether  the  patient's  condition 
is  growing  more  or  less  favorable.  The  beating  of  the 
heart  at  a  rate  higher  than  normal  is  also  an  indication 
of  fever.  For  this  reason,  it  is  important  that  some 
member  of  the  family  should  be  able  to  find  out  the 
pulse  rate.  The  pulse  and  the  temperature  are  two 
things  by  which  necessity  for  the  immediate  attention 
of  a  doctor  may  largely  be  judged  in  any  disease. 

Besides  the  daily  rise  in  temperature,  there  are  three 
other  marked  signs  of  consumption  that  sometimes 
cause  little  alarm.  These  are  gradual  loss  of  appetite, 
increase  in  the  amount  of  expectoration,  and  night 
sweats.  The  night  sweats,  perhaps,  start  mildly  in  the 
early  stage  of  the  attack,  but  often  become  so  copious 
that  a  patient's  sleeping  garments  are  wet  with  per- 
spiration in  the  morning.  Such  unnatural  perspiring 
should  be  remembered  as  a  very  serious  symptom 
of  the  progress  of  consumption.  Under  no  circum- 
stances should  any  one  having  night  sweats  neglect  to 
put  himself  under  a  doctor's  care.  Allowing  such  a 
warning  to  go  unheeded  nearly  always  means  another 
victim  for  "The  Great  White  Plague."  There  are 
sometimes  other  symptoms  of  this  disease,  but  the 
points  that  have  been  mentioned  are  especially  impor- 
tant for  all  to  know,  because  they  frequently  do  not 
arouse  any  particular  concern. 

How  may  this  dread  disease  be  prevented  from 
spreading  in  a  family  or  neighborhood?  The  main 
thing  is  to  keep  the  bacilli  in  the  patient's  expectora- 


CONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  305 

tion  from  infecting  other  people.  For  this  reason,  all 
the  precautions  mentioned  on  pages  297  and  298 
should  be  taken.  (What  were  they?)  Especially 
should  patients  be  careful  to  keep  their  mouths 
covered  while  coughing,  so  that  particles  of  phlegm 
may  not  fly  off  into  the  air  or  the  faces  of  attend- 
ants. Persons  having  consumption  should  sleep  alone. 
Men  consumptives  should  be  smooth  shaven,  since  it 
is  difficult  to  disinfect  either  beard  or  mustache. 
Neither  should  those  ill  with  this  disease  kiss  or  be 
kissed.  If  possible,  the  windows  and  doors  of  a  patient's 
house  should  be  well  screened  to  prevent  flies  from 
spreading  the  germs. 

That  the  bacilli  of  consumption  may  infect  others 
may  be  judged  from  the  fact  that  twenty-four  deaths 
from  this  disease  in  one  house  and  one  hundred  two  in 
one  block  have  been  traced  to  the  same  source.  Some 
years  ago,  after  one  member  of  a  family  had  died  from 
consumption,  others,  and  occasionally  all,  followed. 
With  due  care  taken  to  destroy  bacilli,  it  has  frequently 
happened  in  recent  years  that  but  one  member  of  a 
family  has  been  affected. 

The  great  decrease  in  the  number  of  cases  of  consump- 
tion in  regions  where  particular  care  has  been  taken 
to  teach  people  how  to  prevent  its  spread  is  another 
strong  proof  of  the  wisdom  of  those  precautions. 
The  United  States  census  of  1900  shows  that  in  the 
region  where  registration  is  compulsory,  the  death  rate 
from  consumption  was  one-hundred  eighty-seven  per 


306        THE   WONDEEFUL   HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

one  hundred  thousand  of  population.  In  1890  the 
same  region  reported  two  hundred  forty-five  and  four- 
tenths  per  one  hundred  thousand.  In  Prussia,  for  some 
years  before  1887,  the  death-rate  from  consumption 
had  averaged  about  three  hundred  ten  to  every  one 
hundred  thousand  of  population.  Through  changes 
in  the  care  and  treatment  of  patients,  the  rate  has 
gradually  decreased,  until,  in  1900,  it  was  two  hundred 
ten  to  every  one  hundred  thousand.  These  figures 
furnish  arguments  altogether  too  strong  to  be  allowed 
to  go  unheeded.  Although  the  precautions  advised 
may  seem  unreasonable,  yet,  if  occasion  demands, 
we  shall  be  wise  to  use  them  as  far  as  possible.  In 
dealing  with  consumption,  at  least,  we  are  safe  in 
assuming  that  facts  are  facts  and  that  figures  don't  lie. 
Why  does  the  law  often  impose  a  fine  for  spitting  in 
street  cars  and  other  public  places?  There  probably 
are  in  every  large  city  many  consumptives  who  do  not 
know  that  they  have  this  disease  and  who  mingle 
freely  with  others.  Many  other  persons  with  colds, 
influenza,  and  similar  ills  having  bacilli  in  the  expec- 
toration are  also  often  in  public  places.  Know- 
ing these  facts,  concern  for  public  health  as  well 
as  public  cleanliness  should  prompt  all  to  obey  this 
law,  and  to  insist  that  others  do  the  same.  Healthy 
people  should  observe  such  regulations  just  as  cheer- 
fully as  those  who  know  that  they  are  sick.  Then 
those  affected  with  disease,  but  not  aware  of  it,  will 
have  no  excuse  for  being  heedless. 


CONTAGIOUS  DISEASES  307 

No  doubt  the  improved  methods  of  treating  con- 
sumption, as  well  as  the  pains  taken  to  prevent  its 
spread,  have  had  much  to  do  with  the  decreasing  death- 
rate.  Formerly  any  one  having  the  disease  was  sup- 
posed to  be  fated  to  die.  Drugs  were  used  to  stimu- 


Raybrook  Sanitarium,  Adirondacks.  —  Sleeping  out  in  Summer. 

late  or  ease  the  patient,  but  with  little  or  no  hope  of 
effecting  a  cure.  Now,  this  dread  disease,  if  not  too 
far  advanced,  is  regarded  as  curable;  though  it  is 
generally  conceded  that  medicines,  and  especially 
patent  medicines,  are  valueless.  Many  patients,  who 
might  have  recovered  had  they  consulted  a  doctor  at 
the  outset,  lose  their  lives  because  of  a  period  of  trying 
various  patent  remedies,  which  can  only  deceive  and 
delay.  The  aim  is  to  increase  the  patient's  vitality 
to  such  an  extent  that  he  will  be  able  to  resist  the 


308        THE   WONDERFUL  HOUSE   THAT  JACK  HAS 

inroads  of  the  bacilli  and  in  time  destroy  them.  An 
abundance  of  pure  air  and  nourishing  food  are  the  chief 
factors  relied  upon. 

While  some  simple  tonic  is  often  used  to  stimulate 
the  digestive  organs,  if  they  are  not  working  well, 
this  is  discontinued  as  soon  as  the  need  for  it  ceases. 
Milk,  eggs,  bread,  butter,  and  fruit  are  among  the  foods 
that  are  considered  the  most  beneficial.  A  tablespoon- 
ful  or  more  of  olive  oil  is  often  taken  at  meals,  as  it 
lubricates  the  bowels  and  is  an  excellent  food  as  well. 
Cold  dry  air  and  sunshine  are  considered  very  useful 
in  fighting  this  disease.  For  this  reason,  patients  are 
often  sent  to  regions  of  high  altitude  or  long-continued 
bright  weather.  Where  this  cannot  be  afforded,  all 
possible  outdoor  air  at  home  is  the  best  substitute. 

In  this  country,  the  Adirondack  Mountains  in  New 
York  State,  as  well  as  the  highlands  of  Colorado,  Ari- 
zona, and  other  states  are  localities  which  are  bene- 
ficial for  consumptives.  In  such  regions  patients  are 
advised  to  be  out  of  doors  during  the  daytime,  and 
to  sleep  at  night  with  their  windows  wide  open 
without  regard  to  temperature.  The  amount  of  food 
that  one  can  digest  under  these  conditions  is  aston- 
ishing, from  a  half-dozen  to  a  dozen  eggs,  and  from 
one  to  two  quarts  of  milk  a  day  being  often  taken, 
in  addition  to  three  hearty  regular  meals.  Very  little 
except  easy  walking  is  done  until  the  daily  rise  in 
temperature  has  ceased.  Then  light  exercise  is  com- 
menced with  the  advice  of  a  physician,  and  system- 


CONTAGIOUS  DISEASES 


309 


atically  increased  with  the  gain  in  weight  and  general 
condition. 

Frequent  baths,  followed  by  brisk  rubbing  to  keep 
the  third  lung,  the 
skin,  in  active  con- 
dition, are  very  use- 
ful. If  the  body 
is  gradually  accus- 
tomed to  cold  water, 
the  morning  cold 
bath  may  be  of 
great  value.  In 
brief,  much  that  is 
given  in  the  chap- 
ters on  food,  air, 
water,  and  exercise 
may  be  profitably 
reread  in  this  con- 
nection. One  point 
generally  agreed 
upon  is  that  alco- 
holic drinks  of  any 
kind  hinder,  rather 
than  help,  a  pa- 
tient's recovery.  It 

is  also  true  that  any  one  who  has  previously  been  ad- 
dicted to  the  use  of  such  drinks  is  less  likely  to 
recover  because  of  that  habit. 

The  tubercle  bacilli  also  attack  other  parts  of  the 


Raybvook  Sanitarium,  Adirondacks.  —  On  the 
Porch  in  Cold  Weather. 


310        THE   WONDERFUL   HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

body.  The  lungs  are  so  often  the  place  affected,  how- 
ever, that  consumption  and  tuberculosis  of  the  lungs 
are  generally  regarded  as  the  same  thing.  Who  are 
likely  to  be  attacked  by  this  dread  disease  ?  While  no 
person  is  immune,  and  no  one  can  be  said  to  be  fated, 
statistics  show  that  the  following  are  especially  vulner- 
able :  persons  who  work  in  impure  air  or  where  there  is 
much  irritating  dust ;  persons  who  are  narrow-chested 
or  round-shouldered ;  persons  who  do  not  employ  deep 
breathing;  persons  who  are  subject  to  frequent  colds 
or  catarrh ;  persons  whose  ancestors  or  relatives  have 
had  the  disease ;  persons  not  well  fed  or  fully  nourished, 
—  especially  those  living  in  dark,  poorly  ventilated 
rooms. 

Do  we  belong  to  any  of  these  classes?  If  so,  let  us 
be  watchful  that  ours  is  not  one  of  the  deaths  credited 
to  this  great  destroyer.  Taking  up  an  out-of-door 
occupation ;  developing  our  greatest  breathing  capac- 
ity; in  every  way  making  the  best  use  of  food,  air, 
water,  exercise,  and  rest ;  even  planning  to  spend  life 
in  the  most  favorable  climate,  —  these  are  among  the 
effective  weapons  to  be  employed  in  our  defense. 
How  thankful  all  should  be  that  having  or  escaping 
consumption  is  not  a  matter  of  luck  or  inheritance, 
but  simply  a  question  of  keeping  up  strength  and 
vitality ! 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

THE    SACREDNESS    OF    JACK'S    HOUSE 

GOD  has  given  this  world  many  wonderful  and 
beautiful  things,  but  the  most  wonderful  and  beautiful 
of  all  is  the  human  body.  This  gift  is  always  wonder- 
ful because  of  its  many  different  parts,  each  so  skillfully 
fashioned,  so  perfectly  adapted  for  service,  and  whether 
large  or  small,  strong  or  delicate,  so  necessary  for  the 
highest  good  and  usefulness  of  the  whole.  Of  our 
bodies  it  may  well  be  said :  — 

"  Nothing  useless  is  or  low, 

Each  thing  in  its  place  is  best, 
And  what  seems  but  idle  show, 

Strengthens  and  supports  the  rest." 

This  gift  may  not  always  be  beautiful  in  form  and 
features,  but,  however  plain  these  may  be,  persevering 
effort  will  cultivate  a  gracious  bearing,  which,  with 
wholesome  cleanliness,  abundant  health,  a  kindly 
spirit,  and  sincere  sympathy,  will  make  it  capable  of 
the  greatest  usefulness.  When  we  see  the  beautiful 
things  in  the  world  about  us,  how  splendid  it  is  to 
realize  that  man  is  the  most  wonderful  of  all  the  Crea- 
tor's works  !  How  inspiring  to  know  that  we  have  been 

311 


312        THE    WONDERFUL  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  HAS 

made  after  His  image,  and  that,  with  proper  care  and 
training,  we  may  become  strong  and  noble  in  body  and 
mind !  -  What  a  charge  to  keep  we  have,  and  with 
what  care  and  prayerfulness  we  should  guard  and 
shape  so  precious  and  sacred  a  gift ! 

But  if  full-grown  oaks  are  to  be  straight,  strong, 
well-proportioned,  and  sturdy,  they  must  not  be  bent 
and  weakened  when  saplings.  So  if  the  joyous,  healthy, 
active  boys  and  girls  of  to-day  are  to  become  happy, 
vigorous,  well-poised,  and  capable  men  and  women  of 
the  future,  they  must  train  these  wonderful  gifts  to 
achieve  their  highest  and  best  possibilities.  In  the 
preceding  chapters  we  have  read  how  to  make  food,  air, 
water,  exercise,  and  rest  serve  the  best  growth  and 
development  of  these  bodies  God  has  given  us.  These 
are  rules  easily  remembered  and  readily  made  our 
habit  of  living,  if  only  begun  early  enough.  While 
fleeting  pleasure  may  attend  their  transgression,  the 
truest  joy  and  highest  satisfaction  accompany  their 
keeping.  "More  to  be  desired  are  they  than  gold, 
yea,  than  much  fine  gold :  sweeter  also  than  honey 
and  the  honeycomb.  Moreover  by  them  is  thy  servant 
warned :  and  in  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  reward.77 

How  truly  these  words  used  by  the  Psalmist  in 
describing  the  laws  of  the  Lord  may  be  applied  to  the 
simple  laws  of  health !  If  we  regard  our  bodies  as 
precious,  sacred  gifts,  which,  keeping  pure  and  clean 
within  and  without,  we  try  to  shape  and  develop  to 
their  highest  and  best,  then  we  can  more  proudly  and 


THE  SACREDNESS  OF  JACK'S  HOUSE  313 

hopefully  offer  up  the  daily  prayer:  "Lei  the  words  of 
my  mouth  and  the  meditation  of  my  heart  be  accep- 
table in  Thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my  Strength  and  my 
Redeemer."  With  our  bodies  thus  in  full  harmony 
with  what  our  kind  Heavenly  Father  would  have  them, 
it  will  surely  be  less  difficult  to  keep  our  lips  and  minds 
in  accord  with  His  teachings.  May  a  part  of  our  daily 
prayer  ever  be :  Kind  Father  in  Heaven,  I  know 
my  body  is  a  sacred  gift  from  Thee.  Guard  it  this  day 
from  accident  and  harm.  Give  me  wisdom  to  keep  it 
sound,  strong,  and  serviceable.  Help  me  to  preserve 
it  clean,  pure,  and  undefiled. 


NASAL   BONES-' 


-THE  CRANIUM. 

-MALAR  (CH  EEK)  BONE. 
•SUPERIOR   MAXILLARY  BONES 

INFERIOR  MAXILLARY  BONE 
SPSWAL  COLUMN. CERVICAL  REGION. 

:-CLAV:CLE  (COLLAR  BONE) 


SHOULDER  BLADE  — 


The  Skeleton,  showing  Names  of  Bones. 


HELPS   IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

DURING  the  study  period  pupils  should  prepare  complete 
answers  to  the  following :  — 

CHAPTER  I 

1.  Why  does  money  seem  to  be  the  greatest  treasure  in 
the  world  ?  2.  What  is  the  greatest  treasure  in  .the  world, 
and  why?  3.  Tell  the  two  things  that  are  necessary  for 
most  people  to  possess  a  strong,  healthy  body.  4.  (Note : 
Synonyms  are  words  that  have  similar  meanings.  An- 
tonyms are  words  that  are  opposite  in  meaning.)  Give 
synonyms  of  gallant,  perils,  precious,  striving.  5.  Tell 
the  meaning  of  pirate's  booty  and  miser's  hoard.  6.  Give 
antonyms  of  tedious,  comfortable,  erect.  7.  What  is  meant 
by  without  the  handicap  of  headaches  and  nervousness  ?  By 
the  word  contents,  page  3  ? 

CHAPTER  II 

1.  Give  the  meaning  of  vastly,  far-famed,  and  archi- 
tecture, page  4.  2.  Explain  why  many  people  know  so  little 
about  their  bodies.  3.  Give  a  synonym  of  each  of  the 
following  words,  page  4:  importance,  realized,  residents,  cele- 
brated, enterprise.  4.  What  part  of  the  body  is  called  the 
trunk?  5.  Tell  what  is  said  about  the  brain.  6.  What 
organs  are  in  the  chest,  and  how  are  they  protected? 
7.  Mention  some  organs  that  are  in  the  abdomen.  8.  Give 
the  meaning  of  the  following  words:  fortified,  compart- 

315 


316  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

ments,  page  5.       9.   Tell  some  facts  about  our  bodies  that 
are  of  the  greatest  importance  for  us  to  know. 

CHAPTER  III 

1.  Mention  the  materials  with  which  Jack's  Wonderful 
House  builds  itself.  2.  Give  the  meaning  of  the  following: 
right  proportion,  architect,  construct,  nourishing  food,  page  6. 
3.  For  what  purpose,  besides  satisfying  hunger,  should  we 
eat  food?  4.  Why  are  some  foods  like  oak?  5.  Tell 
why  some  foods  in  large  quantities  are  of  very  little  value 
to  our  bodies.  6.  On  page  6,  what  is  meant  by  the  fol- 
lowing: an  introduction,  chiefly,  particular?  7.  Explain 
the  meaning  of  the  following  words:  incompetent,  dura- 
bility, construct,  require,  large  quantities,  pages  6  and  7. 
8.  What  is  said  about  water?  9.  Tell  what  is  said  about 
pure  air.  10.  Give  the  meaning  of  an  ordinary  house, 
comfortably,  and  sparkling  liquid,  page  7.  11.  Give  an 
antonym  of  pure,  page  7. 

CHAPTER  IV 

1.  Of  what  are  our  bodies  chiefly  made  up?  2.  Give 
two  reasons  why  we  must  supply  our  bodies  with  food. 
3.  Give  the  meaning  of  components  and  extracted;  of 
substances,  mineral,  and  organs,  page  8.  4.  Name  the 
components  of,  or  substances  in  food  that  are  helpful 
building  materials.  5.  Give  the  meaning  of  proteid,  and 
state  why  it  is  justly  entitled  to  its  name.  6.  Mention 
some  common  foods  that  contain  proteid.  7.  Why  should 
we  have  plenty  of  proteids  in  our  food  ?  8.  What  is  a 
microscope  f 

CHAPTER  V 

1.  Give  the  meaning  of  distasteful  and  fibers,  liberally 
supplied,  various  grains,  and  chemists,  page  10.  2.  Give 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  317 

the  meaning  of  energy,  naturally  robust  and  strong,  excellent, 
page  11;  comparatively  inexpensive  foods,  and  large  extent, 
page  12.  3.  Tell  the  meaning  of  inhabitants,  prodigious, 
whale  blubber,  Arctic  explorer,  disgust,  appetite  is  regulated, 
etc.,  physical  labor,  occupation,  page  12.  4.  Of  what  use  is 
fat  to  our  bodies?  5.  Name  five  foods  having  much  fat. 
6.  State  what  is  said  of  olive  oil.  7.  Tell  why  it  is  a  mis- 
take for  some  people  to  eat  much  pork.  8.  Explain  why 
more  fat  is  needed  in  cold  weather  than  in  warm  weather. 
9.  Compare  the  diet  of  an  Eskimo  with  that  of  an  inhabitant 
of  the  tropics.  10.  Give  antonyms  of  similar  and  re- 
markable, page  13.  11.  Name  some  foods  in  which  starch 
is  found.  12.  Compare  fat  and  starch  as  to  the  amount 
of  heat  and  energy  each  furnishes  the  body.  13.  Why 
should  sugar  not  be  eaten  to  excess?  14.  Mention  five 
different  foods  in  which  sugar  is  found.  15.  State  five 
important  facts  given  about  foods  on  page  15.  16.  What 
two  good  reasons  are  given  for  not  allowing  children  to  persist 
in  a  dislike  of  necessary  foods?  17.  Give  the  meaning 
of  pr ^established  dislike,  chances  for  recovery,  staple  foods, 
improper  diet,  experienced  physicians,  page  15. 

CHAPTER  VI 

1.  Give  an  antonym  of  correct,  different,  and  solid, 
page  16.  2.  What  are  the  three  different  forms  of  matter? 
3.  Give  the  meaning  of  expand,  rearrange,  process,  situated, 
and  absorbed,  page  17.  4.  About  what  is  the  length  of  the 
digestive  canal?  Name  its  parts.  5.  What  are  salivary 
glands  ?  6.  Mention  three  uses  of  saliva.  7.  Why  should 
our  food  be  thoroughly  masticated  ?  8.  Explain  why 
children  who  eat  rapidly  in  order  to  get  out  quickly  to  play, 
make  a  mistake.  9.  Why  does  properly  masticating 
our  food  help  to  keep  us  from  eating  more  than  is  needed  ? 


318  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

10.  Give  the  meaning  of  good  authorities,  liquid  state,  per- 
severe, enthusiastic,  exertion,  eating  heartily,  induced,  activity 
and  endurance  in  games,  more  accurately,  page  20.  11.  Tel) 
about  the  experiment  of  the  athletes  at  Yale  University. 
12.  Give  the  meaning  of  admiringly,  principal,  less  cele- 
brated, page  21.  13.  Tell  what  is  said  about  Mr.  Glad- 
stone. 

CHAPTER  VII 

/ 

1.  What  is  meant  by  alimentary  canal?  2.  Where  is 
the  esophagus?  3.  Where  is  the  windpipe?  4.  Give 
the  meaning  of  elastic,  of  great  expansion,  ingredients,  page 
23.  5.  What  component  of  food  does  gastric  juice  digest  ? 
6.  Explain  the  meaning  of  diluted,  less  effective,  and  ex- 
periment, page  24.  7.  Mention  three  things  that  we  can 
learn  from  the  experiment  in  digesting  meat.  8.  Why 
should  hard  work  or  violent  exercise  just  before  or  im- 
mediately after  meals  be  avoided?  9.  Tell  how  the 
muscles  of  the  stomach  assist  digestion.  10.  Give  syno- 
nyms of  calculate,  compelling,  normal,  page  25.  11.  What 
is  said  about  the  use  of  seasonings?  12.  Give  the  mean- 
ing of  state  of  mind,  controlling,  considerable,  foundation, 
insufficient,  absorbed  in  thought,  page  26.  13.  Explain 
how  our  state  of  mind  at  meal-time  influences  digestion. 
14.  Give  the  meaning  of  table  atmosphere,  accomplishing, 
page  27.  15.  Why  should  we  have  a  joyous  table  atmos- 
phere? 16.  Tell  three  important  things  about  bile. 
17.  What  is  said  of  pancreatic  juice?  18.  What  foods 
does  the  intestinal  fluid  digest?  19.  Explain  the  meaning 
of  quantity  and  information,  page  28.  20.  Give  the 
meaning  of  projections,  numerous,  velvety,  page  28. 
21.  What  are  villi  ?  Tell  their  use.  22.  Give  the  meaning 
of  become  disordered,  regularly,  unduly  long,  essential,  pre- 
ventive, page  29.  23.  Give  antonyms  of  careful  and 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  319 

reasonable,  page  30.  24.  Tell  the  four  things  in  regard  to 
digestion  concerning  which  we  should  be  careful  to  form 
correct  habits. 

CHAPTER  VIII 

1.  Mention  the  building  materials  usually  found  in  milk. 
2.  State  why  milk  is  the  most  nearly  perfect  food.  3. 
Give  the  meaning  of  adults,  tax  on  the  digestive  organs, 
skimmed  milk,  and  expensive,  page  33.  4.  What  are  the 
common  ways  of  lessening  the  food  value  of  milk? 
5.  Give  antonyms  of  retards,  thinner,  inferior,  untidiness, 
page  34.  6.  Give  the  meaning  of  opportunity,  afforded, 
attacked,  invisible,  moisture,  thrive,  page  35.  7.  What  care 
should  be  taken  to  prevent  bacteria  from  destroying  the 
food  value  of  milk?  8.  For  what  purpose  is  hot  water 
useful  in  dairies?  9.  Mention  other  evidences  of  a  good 
dairy.  10.  What  is  the  best  milk  to  buy?  The  next 
best?  11.  Why  is  it  not  well  to  buy  of  a  dealer  who 
dips  the  milk  from  tin  cans?  What  is  probably  the  most 
dangerous  way  to  buy  milk?  12.  When  and  why  should 
milk  be  put  in  the  coolest  place  in  the  house  after  it 
is  delivered  ?  13.  Give  antonyms  of  foolish,  important, 
page  39.  14.  Tell  how  condensed  milk  is  prepared.  Give 
meaning  of  indefinitely  and  original,  page  41.  15.  Why 
is  the  expression,  "as  fat  as  butter,"  a  good  comparison? 
16.  Tell  why  butter  should  not  be  left  long  uncovered,  and 
why  it  should  be  kept  in  a  very  cool  place.  17.  Give 
the  meaning  of  precautions  and  rancid,  page  41.  18.  Tell 
why  it  is  a  fraud  to  sell  oleomargarine  as  butter.  How 
may  the  difference  between  oleomargarine  and  butter  be 
told?  19.  Explain  from  what  cheese  is  made,  and  why 
it  costs  more  to  make  some  kinds  than  others.  20.  Why 
is  cheese  a  valuable  food?  21.  With  what  is  cheese  often 
eaten  in  France  and  Italy  ? 


320  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 


CHAPTER  IX 

1.  Tell  what  you  have  learned  about  the  components 
of  an  egg.  2.  Which  are  more  easily  digested,  soft-cooked 
or  hard-cooked  eggs  ?  What  effect  does  frying  have  on  the 
digestibility  of  eggs?  3.  Where  should  eggs  be  kept? 
Why?  4.  Explain  what  candling  eggs  is.  5.  Why  do 
eggs  become  lighter  as  they  grow  older?  6.  Tell  how 
one  may  usually  judge  without  tasting,  if  eggs  are  too  stale 
to  be  appetizing.  7.  Give  the  meaning  of  comparatively, 
expensive,  omitting,  menu,  page  46.  8.  Mention  the 
body-building  materials  in  meat.  9.  Why  is  beef  prob- 
ably the  best  of  the  much-used  meats?  10.  Compare 
chicken  with  beef;  compare  veal  with  beef.  11.  What 
is  said  about  mutton  and  lamb?  12.  Tell  what  you  have 
learned  about  each  of  the  following:  pork,  ham,  dried 
beef,  bacon.  13.  How  is  tough  meat  sometimes  made 
more  tender?  14.  Give  antonyms  of  civilized,  harmful, 
advantage,  page  48.  15.  Why,  when  meat  is  being  cooked, 
should  it  be  at  once  subjected  to  great  heat?  16.  Why 
should  pork  always  be  thoroughly  cooked?  17.  Tell 
how  to  prepare  soups  from  meat.  18.  How  may  you  tell 
that  beef  is  good  ?  19.  How  may  bad  veal  be  recognized  ? 
20.  Why  are  sausages  often  a  doubtful  food?  21.  Tell 
why  some  people  think  it  best  to  eat  only  a  moderate  amount 
of  meat.  22.  What  proof  have  we  that  it  is  possible  to 
be  well  and  strong  without  eating  meat  ?  23.  What  is  the 
meaning  of  finny  dwellers  in  the  water  world,  sport,  substitute, 
preferable,  stagnant,  pages  51  and  52  ?  24.  Tell  three  things 
page  52  teaches  about  fish  as  food.  25.  When  are  fish 
not  good  food?  26.  What  is  said  about  oysters  as  food? 
About  clams,  lobsters,  and  shrimps? 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PBEPAEAT10N  321 

CHAPTER  X 

1.  Tell  the  food  materials  in  wheat,  and  state  how  it 
compares  with  animal  foods  in  respect  to  these.  2.  What 
is  said  about  rye  ?  About  corn  ?  About  oatmeal  ?  3.  Com- 
pare rice  with  wheat  as  to  the  amount  of  starch,  proteid, 
and  fat  contained.  Mention  countries  in  which  rice  is  the 
principal  food.  4.  Give  the  meaning  of  consider,  curious, 
closely  related,  attempting,  evaporates,  destroyed,  and  reduced, 
page  56.  5.  Explain  about  the  use  of  yeast  in  bread- 
making.  6.  Give  the  meaning  of  mold  spores,  unpalatable, 
page  57.  7.  Tell  why  flour  should  be  kept  in  a  dry  place. 
8.  Why  should  the  bread  jar  be  frequently  washed  out  with 
hot  water?  9.  Define  fashion,  preference,  included,  page  57. 
10.  Tell  what  Entire  Wheat  Flour  is,  and  why  it  is  often 
recommended  by  physicians.  11.  About  what  is  the  actual 
cost  of  the  materials  of  a  loaf  of  bread?  12.  Why  is  home- 
made bread  better  than  baker's  bread?  13.  Give  an- 
tonyms of  plain,  aid,  ill,  lighter,  page  59.  14.  Which 
is  more  easily  digested,  newly  baked  bread  or  bread  a  day 
or  more  old?  Well-baked  bread  or  that  which  is  soggy? 
What  is  said  about  toast?  15.  Name  some  of  the  least 
digestible  of  the  flour  preparations.  Explain  the  reason. 

16.  Tell  why  it  is  unwise  to  depend  on  such  foods  as  pie 
and   cakes   for   the   building   substances   our   bodies   need. 

17.  Why  is  it  a  poor  exchange  for  children  to  spend  their 
pennies  for  cakes  and  other  sweets?       18.   What  is  said 
of  the  building  substances  in  potatoes?     Why  are  potatoes 
such  a  widely  used  food  ?       19.    Give  the  meaning  of  prepa- 
ration, moderately  warm,  and  nutritive,  page  62.      20.    Ex- 
plain how  to   prepare  potatoes    for    the    table    and    best 
retain   their   nutritive   substances        21.    What   is   said   of 
baked   potatoes?      Of   fried   potatoes?      Which   are   more 
easily  digested,  those  that  are  mealy,  or  those  that  are  soggy, 


322  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

after  being  baked  or  boiled?  22.  Give  synonyms  of 
flavor  and  prized,  page  63.  23.  Why  are  vegetables 
highly  prized  as  food?  Name  some  vegetables  that  are 
considered  especially  good  for  the  blood  and  the  nervous 
system.  24.  Name  some  that  are  healthful  stimulants 
to  the  liver  and  other  digestive  organs.  25.  Tell  the 
meaning  of  variety  of  diet,  bulk,  insufficient,  page  63. 

26.  What  vegetables  contain  a  large  amount  of  proteid? 

27.  How  may  peas  and  beans  be  made  more  easily  digestible  ? 

28.  What  is  said  about  string  beans ?     Lima  beans?     Green 
peas?     Canned  peas  and  beans?       29.    Why  are  almonds, 
walnuts,   and   peanuts   good    body-building    foods?     What 
is    said    of    their    digestibility?       30.    What    components 
are  usually  found  in  fruits?     Give  two  fruits  that  contain 
some   proteid.      Why   are    fruits    a    highly   prized    food? 

31.  Tell  how  bananas  may  be  'made  more  easily  digestible. 

32.  Why  are  stewed  and  canned  fruits  usually  not  as  bene- 
ficial as  fresh  fruit?     What  is  said  of  dried  apples?     Of 
fruit  put  up  in  tin  cans?       33.    How  may  we  guard  against 
bacteria  and  mold  when  canning?       34.    Explain  how  to 
keep  fresh  oranges,  apples,  etc.,  from  decaying. 

CHAPTER  XI 

1.  Give  the  meaning  of  beverages,  beneficial,  and  diffi- 
culty, page  69.  2.  Tell  from  what  coffee  is  made.  From 
what  is  tea  made?  What  do  both  contain?  3.  Why 
should  children  drink  neither  tea  nor  coffee?  4.  What 
is  tannin?  Tell  the  best  way  to  prepare  tea,  and  why. 
5.  Why  are  cocoa  and  chocolate  much  more  nutritious 
beverages  than  coffee  or  tea?  6.  Tell  what  is  said  about 
the  numerous  "soft  drinks."  Why  should  ice  cream  soda 
not  be  taken  immediately  after  a  hearty  meal  ?  7.  Give 
the  meaning  of  multitudes,  ingredients,  and  derange,  page  73. 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  323 

8.  What  is  said  about  alcohol  as  a  food?  9.  Explain 
why  alcoholic  drinks  do  not  warm  persons  who  are  cold. 
What  does  Commander  Peary  say  about  alcoholic 
drinks?  10.  Give  the  meaning  of  spurious,  degrading, 
boisterous,  community,  gradually,  page  74.  11.  Tell  the 
meaning  of  less  companionable,  material  prosperity,  ex- 
cesses, overindulgence,  brutal,  overwhelmed,  and  blighted, 
page  75.  12.  Compare  the  effects  of  too  much  food 
on  the  body  with  the  effects  of  too  much  alcoholic  drink. 
13.  Tell  why  a  little  alcohol  each  day  is  a  hindrance  rather 
than  a  help  to  the  body.  14.  Give  the  meaning  of  in- 
sidiously, page  76.  15.  What  dogs  were  selected  by 
Dr.  Hodge  for  his  experiment  ?  16.  What  effect  had 
the  epidemic  on  Bum  and  Tipsy  ?  On  Nig  and  Topsy  ? 
17.  Tell  about  the  experiment  with  the  dogs  in  the  gym- 
nasium. 18.  Tell  other  bad  effects  of  alcohol  on  Bum 
and  Tipsy.  19.  What  is  said  about  users  of  alcoholic 
drinks  getting  well  from  dangerous  diseases?  20.  Why 
are  college  boat  crews  and  ball  teams  not  allowed  to  use 
alcoholic  drinks  during  the  period  of  training?  21.  Give 
the  meaning  of  international,  contestants,  capable,  recorded, 
total  abstainers,  prolonged,  unquestionably,  indicate,  page  80. 
22.  What  do  insurance  records  show  about  the  average 
length  of  life  of  those  who  use  and  those  who  do  not  use 
alcohol?  23.  Tell  the  meaning  of  desserts,  abstaining,  un- 
necessarily, unnatural,  page  81.  24.  Give  synonyms  of 
threshold,  dread,  creating,  social,  repulsive,  page  81.  What 
dread  power  has  alcohol?  25.  Explain  why  beginning  to 
drink  alcoholic  liquors  is  like  starting  to  swim  the  whirlpool 
rapids  at  Niagara  Falls.  26.  Who  are  not  employed  by 
railroads  in  certain  positions  of  trust?  27.  Why  have 
many  strong  men  fallen  victims  to  "John  Barleycorn"? 
28.  Tell  why  it  is  wrong  for  educated  Christian  people  to 
visit  places  where  liquors  are  sold,  or  to  allow  liquor  to  be 


324  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

used  on  their  tables,  even  though  they  are  temperate  in  its 
use.  29.  Give  antonyms  of  prohibiting,  protected,  right, 
page  85.  30.  Tell  the  four  ideals  and  purposes  mentioned 
on  page  85. 

CHAPTER  XII 

1.   Why  are  horses  not  fed  all  the  sugar  they  want? 

2.  Why   should   we   eat   sugar   only   in   small    quantities? 

3.  Give  the  meaning  of   consequences,  page  87.      4.    Why 
is  cheap  candy  especially  harmful  ?       5.    Tell  why  the  sugar 
habit    does    not    pay.       6.    Give    the    meaning    of    papier- 
mache,  supported,  enduring  structure,   page  88.       7.   Relate 
the  story  of  Jacob  and  Esau.       8.    What  is  likely  to  lure 
away  our  most  precious  inheritanc   ?     Give   the  meaning 
of  greedy.     9.'  Tell  why  eating  between  meals  is  a  bad  habit. 

10.  Give   the   meaning    of    liberally,    nutriment,    page   90. 

11.  Explain  why  our   occupation   should,  to   some  extent, 
regulate     both     the    kind     and    quantity    of    our    food. 

12.  Why   do    so    many    brain- workers    suffer    from    indi- 
gestion?    13.   State  the  food  precepts  given  on  page   92. 
14.   Mention  the   good   things   of    life  that  are  really  best 
worth  having.       15.    What    are   often    the    busiest    times 
for  physicians,  and  why?      16.    Give  antonyms  of  valuable 
and  usefulness,  page  94.       17.   Tell  what  is  said  about  the 
Spartans.       18.   Relate    the    incident    of    Daniel  and   his 
three    companions.       19.    What   is  the  effect   of    hurrying 
through  our  meals  to  get  out  to  play?     Of  eating  much 
food  just  because  it  pleases  the  taste  ? 

CHAPTER  XIII 

1.  Give  synonyms  of  previous,  appreciated,  banquet, 
page  97.  2.  Compare  air  and  food  from  the  stand- 
point of  our  need  of  each.  3.  About  what  is  the  average 
number  of  breaths  taken  per  minute  ?  Does  a  baby  take 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  325 

more  or  less  than  the  average?  4.  Give  the  meaning  of 
ceaseless,  tide,  continually,  page  98.  5.  Mention  the  prin- 
cipal components  of  air.  6.  About  what  part  of  pure 
air  is  oxygen?  7.  Why  does  a  furnace  fire  or  a  lamp 
light  go  out  when  the  draughts  are  closed?  8.  State  how 
our  bodies  are  like  furnaces  and  engines.  9.  What  is 
produced  by  the  union  of  oxygen  and  the  tissues  of  our 
bodies?  10.  What  component  of  air  serves  to  dilute 
the  oxygen?  11.  State  the  proportion  of  carbonic  acid 
gas  in  pure  air.  12.  What  amount  of  carbonic  acid  gas 
in  air  is  the  upper  limit  of  safety?  Give  the  meaning  of 
imagine  and  representing,  page  102.  13.  How  can  you 
judge  whether  or  not  the  air  of  a  vat  or  well  is  dangerous 
to  breathe?  14.  What  poisonous  gas  is  produced  by  the 
union  of  oxygen  and  the  tissues  of  our  bodies?  15.  Which 
has  the  more  moisture,  warm  air  or  cold  air?  16.  What 
is  insensible  perspiration?  17.  Explain  why  we  often 
feel  more  uncomfortable  on  moist  summer  days  than  we 
do  on  days  that  are  hotter  but  not  as  moist.  18.  Give 
synonyms  of  penetrating,  remotest,  relative  position,  page 
104;  of  extremely,  vital,  inflated,  museum,  and  elasticity,  page 
105.  19.  Give  the  meaning  of  comprehend,  tracing,  ap- 
proach, and  contain,  page  106.  20.  What  are  the  capillaries? 
21.  How  many  separate  chambers  has  the  heart?  What 
are  they  called?  22.  Of  what  use  is  the  heart?  23.  In 
the  water  system  of  a  great  city,  what  corresponds  to  the 
arteries  of  our  body?  What  to  the  veins?  24.  How  is 
the  blood  kept  from  flowing  backward?  25.  What  is 
meant  by  the  circulation  f  26.  Tell  what  is  said  about  the 
number  of  times  the  heart  beats  per  minute.  27.  How  is 
oxygen  carried  from  the  lungs  to  the  tissues  of  the  body  ? 
How  is  the  carbonic  acid  gas  brought  from  various  parts 
of  the  body  to  the  lungs?  28.  Where  does  the  blood 
exchange  its  carbonic  acid  gas  for  oxygen?  29.  Give  the 


326  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

meaning  of  on  the  average  and  purification,  page  112. 
30.  About  how  much  air  will  the  cells  of  the  lungs  hold  on 
the  average  ?  About  how  much  space  would  the  surface  of 
the  air  cells  of  the  lungs  cover  if  spread  out  flat?  31.  De- 
fine inspiring  or  inhaling,  expiring  or  exhaling,  respiration. 

32.  What  exchange  of  gases  should  take  place  every  time 
we  breathe?     What  is  meant  by  the  capacity  of  the  lungs? 

33.  Why  is  it  that  oxygen  is  not  all  used  up?       34.   Tell 
how  you  know  oxygen  is  a  wonderful  supporter  of  combus- 
tion.      35.    Give  three  proofs   of   the    fact    that    carbonic 
acid  gas  will  not  support  combustion.     36.    What  effect  has 
lime-water  on  pure   air?     On   carbonic   acid   gas?     What 
proof  have  we  that  burning  a  splinter  in  a  bottle  produces 
carbonic  acid  gas?     That  breathing  into  a  bottle  also  pro- 
duces carbonic  acid  gas?     37.  Describe  the  experiment  with 
the  mouse  and   the  glass  receiver.       38.    State  the  three 
facts  proved  by  these  experiments. 

CHAPTER   XIV 

1.  Give  antonyms  of  heavy,  deepest,  simple,  essential, 
page  118.  2.  Describe  the  experiment  with  a  bladder 
or  toy  balloon.  3.  How  can  we  tell  that  warm  air  is 
lighter  than  cold  air?  4.  Name  some  conditions  that 
cause  differences  in  temperature  in  the  atmosphere.  5.  Tell 
how  the  fact  that  warm  air  rises  helps  us  to  get  pure  air  to 
breathe.  6.  How  will  the  temperature  in  the  upper  part 
of  an  occupied  room  usually  compare  with  the  temperature  of 
the  air  in  the  lower  part?  7.  Why  are  we  usually  sure 
of  pure  air  when  out  of  doors?  8.  Define  ventilation. 
State  what  openings  are  necessary  for  the  good  ventilation 
of  a  room.  9.  Compare  the  components  of  the  air  breathed 
out  with  those  of  the  air  breathed  in.  10.  Tell  about  the 
watery  vapor  that  is  given  out  from  the  lungs  and  the  skin. 
11.  Give  the  meaning  of  disagreeable,  odorless,  fetid,  page 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  327 

121.  12.  What  is  said  about  people  who  are  too  partic- 
ular to  drink  from  the  same  cup  another  has  used? 
13.  Why  cannot  the  sense  of  smell  be  trusted  to  detect 
the  bad  odor  of  the  air  in  a  room  of  which  we  are  one  of 
the  occupants?  14.  In  order  to  protect  ourselves  from 
foul  air,  what  should  we  get  into  the  habit  of  noticing? 

15.  How  does  the  amount  of  air  consumed  by  an  artificial 
light     compare     with     the    amount     a    person    will    use? 

16.  What  artificial  light  consumes  the   least  air?       What 
light  consumes  the  most?     Compare  a  kerosene  lamp  with 
a  gas  jet;   a  gas  jet  having  a  mantle  with  an  ordinary  gas 
jet.       17.   Give  the  meaning  of  justifiable,  accidentally,  un- 
detected, page  123.     18.  Why  is  furnishing  impure  air  for  our 
guests  to  breathe  even  worse  than  serving  them  decaying 
food  to  eat?     19.    Give  synonyms  of  confined,  terrible,  sur- 
vived, page  124.       20.    Relate  the  incident  of  the   "  Black 
Hole  of  Calcutta."     21.    Give  the  meaning  of  steerage,  com- 
pelled,   frenzy,    violence,     contriving,     spectacle,    page    125. 
22.   Tell  the  story  of  the  steamer  Londonderry.       23.  State 
why   such   fatal    results  of    rebreathing   air  that  has  been 
breathed  out  are  infrequent.     24.    What  fact  do  the  "  Black 
Hole  of  Calcutta"  and  the  Londonderry  incidents  empha- 
size?     25.   Mention  several  bad  effects  of  breathing  im- 
pure air,  page  126.     26.  State  why  it  is  unwise  to  have  doors 
and  windows  closed  in  summer  time  to  keep  out  the  dust. 
27.   What  are  Nature's  remedies?      28.    How  can  we  have 
pure  air  while   sleeping?       29.   Tell    about   the  treatment 
of    consumptives,  at    mountain    resorts    and    sanitariums. 

30.  Give   antonyms   of   occasionally,    gradually,    abundant, 
nutritious,     completely,     practical,     pages     128     and     129. 

31.  What  has  an  enforced  stay  at  mountain  resorts  taught 
some  people  ?      32.    Why  is  the  practice  of  having  the  doors 
and   windows   of   any    sick    person's   room   closed   usually 
unwise?       33.   Give  synonyms  of  needless,  wonders,  spark- 


328  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

ling,  sparingly,  coddling,  page  130.  34.  How  may  indoor 
workers  enjoy  more  rugged  health?  35.  Give  some 
evidences  that  the  benefits  of  out-of-door  air  are  be- 
coming more  generally  appreciated.  36.  From  where 
should  the  air  supply  of  a  furnace  be  taken?  Why? 
37.  Why  should  the  draught  in  the  pipe  be  wide  open  when 
coal  is  being  put  on  a  furnace  fire?  38.  Why  are  gas 
stoves  without  pipes  dangerous?  39.  Tell  why  windows 
should  be  lowered  from  the  top.  40.  Explain  how  a  fire- 
place helps  in  ventilating  a  room.  41.  Why  should  all 
try  to  be  out  of  doors  as  much  as  possible?  42.  State 
why  it  is  unwise  to  stay  long  in  crowded  depots  and  other 
public  waiting  places,  if  one  can  just  as  well  be  in  the  open 
air.  43.  Give  the  meaning  of  ailments,  delay,  shun,  page 
133.  44.  How  may  we  be  among  the  fortunate  class 
that  have  no  need  for  patent  remedies  ?  45.  Why  should 
we  be  more  eager  for  pure  air  than  for  any  high-priced 
medicine  ? 

CHAPTER  XV 

1.  Name  three  of  the  principal  differences  between  city 
and  country  air.  2.  In  which  are  disease  germs  com- 
paratively numerous?  3.  Tell  several  things  one  should 
consider  in  selecting  a  site  for  building  a  house.  4.  State 
some  of  the  benefits  of  sunshine.  5.  What  should  be  done 
with  trees  and  shrubbery  that  keep  too  much  sun  from 
the  house  ?  6.  State  the  advantages  of  having  varnished 
floors  and  rugs  instead  of  carpets.  7.  The  temperature 
of  an  artificially  heated  room  should  not  be  allowed  to 
rise  above  what  point?  Why?  8.  Tell  what  the  British 
teachers  thought  about  the  temperature  of  our  schoolrooms, 
and  why.  9.  Why  is  watchfulness  of  the  temperature  of 
schoolrooms  especially  important?  10.  State  why  cold 
air  is  not  necessarily  pure  air.  How  may  we  prove  the 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  329 

truth  of  this  statement?  11.  What  is  the  danger  of  hav- 
ing the  air  of  a  room  too  dry  and  how  may  this  be  pre- 
vented ?  12.  Tell  why  we  should  be  just  as  particular 
about  the  air  we  breathe  as  about  the  food  we  eat. 

CHAPTER  XVI 

1.  Describe  the  thorax  or  chest.  Draw  a  picture  of  it. 
2.  What  strong  muscle  forms  the  base  of  the  thorax  or 
chest,  and  what  does  this  muscle  separate?  Describe  the 
diaphragm.  3.  What  is  cartilage?  4.  What  and  where 
are  the  intercostal  muscles?  5.  Describe  "high  chest" 
breathing;  "costal"  breathing;  "diaphragmatic"  breath- 
ing. 6.  What  is  the  bes  method  of  breathing?  7.  How 
may  we  tell  whether  or  not  we  are  employing  rhythmic 
deep  breathing?  How  does  such  breathing  aid  digestion? 
8.  Give  the  meaning  of  alternate,  effort,  prevents,  assistance, 
page  147.  9.  State  two  of  the  principal  causes  of  get- 
ting out  of  correct  breathing  habits.  10.  Why  is  the 
deep  breathing  habit  one  of  the  most  important  lessons 
for  all  to  learn?  11.  What  is  one  of  the  very  best  aids 
to  health  and  vigor?  12.  Give  the  meaning  of  function, 
sedentary,  vigorous,  universal,  testimony,  incipient,  tuber- 
culosis, page  149.  13.  Tell  what  Dr.  Pryor  says  about 
breathing.  14.  What  was  the  almost  universal  testi- 
mony of  patients  at  he  New  York  State  Hospital  for 
Incipient  Tuberculosis?  15.  For  what  were  the  long, 
narrow  passages  of  the  nose  designed  ?  16.  State  two  im- 
portant uses  of  the  secretion  of  the  nose  passages.  17.  Tell 
why  it  is  not  just  as  well  to  breathe  through  the  mouth. 
18.  Give  the  meaning  of  resistance,  page  152.  19.  How 
does  nose  breathing  benefit  the  chest  ?  Give  the  meaning 
of  obstructive,  page  152.  20.  Tell  what  is  said  about 
adenoids.  21.  What  effect  may  the  stoppage  of  the  nose 
passages  have  on  hearing?  On  one's  appearance?  How 


330  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

may  these  be  remedied?  22.  How  may  we  make  sure 
that  we  are  breathing  through  both  nostrils?  Why  should 
we  be  certain  of  this  fact?  23.  Give  the  meaning  of  firmly, 
determination,  persevered,  bandage,  page  154.  24.  Tell 
why  it  is  better  to  breathe  through  the  nose  as  much  as 
possible  when  exercising  % violently.  25.  What  is  said  of 
snoring?  26.  What  care  must  be  taken  in  order  to  have 
the  atmosphere  of  a  heated  building  favorable  to  a  healthy 
nose  ?  27.  Tell  how  too  dry  air  affects  the  nose  passages. 
28.  What  simple  remedy  will  often  relieve  the  dry  condition 
of  the  nose  passages?  29.  Explain  the  benefit  of  a  res- 
pirator in  some  trades. 

CHAPTER  XVII 

1.  Describe  the  position  of  the  spine,  shoulders,  chest, 
and  abdomen  when  the  body  is  in  the  sitting  or  standing 
position  most  favorable  to  deep  breathing.  2.  Tell  why 
bending  the  spine  backward  and  carrying  the  abdomen 
outward  is  not  a  good  position.  3.  What  are  usually 
signs  of  weak  breathing  organs?  4.  Give  synonyms  of 
ungainly,  posture,  habitually,  erect,  carriage,  impression, 
suggests,  pages  160  and  161.  5.  How  may  habits  of 
incorrect  position  be  broken?  6.  State  why  habits  of 
correct  position  should  be  formed  early  in  life.  7.  How 
does  the  country  boy  usually  make  his  breathing  muscles 
strong?  How  do  most  children  help  in  developing  these 
important  muscles?  8.  Describe  the  breathing  exercises 
given  on  page  164.  9.  Describe  the  last  breathing  exer- 
cise given.  Try  it.  10.  State  why  it  is  usually  more 
important  to  practice  for  better  expiration  than  for  im- 
proved inspiration.  11.  In  what  kind  of  air  should  such 
exercises  always  be  taken?  12.  Tell  why  gain  in  chest 
expansion  does  not  always  indicate  increase  in  size  of  lungs 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  331 

or  chest.  13.  By  what  may  we  usually  estimate  our 
power  to  play  and  to  work?  14.  Why  is  it  a  good  plan 
to  breathe  out  all  the  air  we  can  immediately  after  leav- 
ing a  crowded  car  or  room  ?  15.  Who  have  the  greatest 
need  for  practicing  breathing  exercises?  16.  Tell  about 
President  Roosevelt's  health  in  boyhood.  17.  How  did 
he  make  himself  strong  and  vigorous?  How  has  he  in  his 
years  of  responsibility  kept  in  the  physical  condition  that 
enables  him  to  do  such  a  large  amount  of  mental  work  ? 
18.  Who  was  Sir  Walter  Scott?  Tell  about  the  benefits 
of  out-of-door  life  and  exercise  for  him.  19.  Mention 
ways  we  may  help  ourselves  to  gain  such  benefits.  20.  Why 
should  every  person  keep  up  some  active  physical  exercise? 
21.  Relate  what  Madame  Melba  says  about  correct  breath- 
ing. 22.  What  is  her  idea  about  the  proper  temperature 
of  a  room?  23.  Tell  what  she  means  by  saying  a  singer 
should  become  a  "hardy  plant." 

CHAPTER  XVIII 

1.  Why  is  it  thought  that  using  tobacco  is  naturally 
poisonous  to  the  human  body?  2.  Tell  what  is  meant 
by  a  "Tobacco  Heart"  and  how  smokers  sometimes  discover 
they  have  that  difficulty.  3.  Give  the  meaning  of  chest 
girth,  progress,  page  178;  of  accurate,  physical  development, 
irregularly,  page  179.  4.  In  Professor  Seaver's  experi- 
ment, how  much  older  on  the  average  were  the  smokers 
who  entered  Yale  than  the  non-smokers?  Compare  the 
development  of  the  smokers  and  non-smokers  during  their 
college  course.  5.  What  is  said  about  the  ability  both 
showed  in  mental  work?  6.  Give  the  meaning  of  stunts 
growth,  listless,  pallor,  page  180.  7.  What  effect  does 
the  use  of  tobacco  have  on  the  growth  of  children's  bodies  ? 
What  effect  on  their  wills?  8.  Give  antonyms  of 
offensive  and  ill-smelling,  page  181.  9.  Give  the  four 


332  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

conclusions  that  are  stated  on  page  181.  10.  What  did 
Commander  Peary  say  about  taking  on  his  Polar  expeditions 
men  who  were  dependent  on  tobacco  ? 

CHAPTER  XIX 

1.  Tell  what  is  said  about  the  amount  of  water  in  the 
human  body.  2.  Why  must  the  body  frequently  receive 
a  new  supply  of  water?  State  how  this  need  is  supplied. 
3.  Explain  what  is  meant  by  taking  into  solution.  4.  Tell 
how  water  is  helpful  in  cleaning  the  inside  of  the  body. 
5.  How  may  drinking  water  with  one's  meals  be  harm- 
ful? 6.  Mention  times  of  the  day  that  are  favorable 
for  drinking  freely  of  water.  7.  What  is  said  about  the 
temperature  of  water?  8.  Tell  why  drinking  freely  of 
water  to  help  cleanse  our  bodies  is  usually  much  wiser 
than  taking  patent  medicines.  9.  Why  should  the  habit 
of  dosing  with  medicines  of  any  kind  be  avoided? 
10.  What  is  distilled  water?  11.  Explain  what  causes 
rain.  12.  How  does  rain  differ  from  distilled  water? 

13.  Tell    about    the    formation    of     wells     and     springs. 

14.  Why  does  the  housewife  prefer  soft  water  for  wash- 
ing?      15.    Give  the  meaning  of  polluted  and  sewage,  page 
190.       16.    How   may   water   that   is    suspected    of    being 
polluted  be  made  safe  to  drink?     17.    State  a  good  reason 
for  being  careful  about  the  quality  of  our  drinking  water. 
18.   Tell    what  is   said    about    the    Japanese.       19.    What 
is  the  safest  way  to    cool   water    for  drinking,    and   why? 
20.   Tell   why   a  pump   is   better    than    a    well.       21.    Of 
what  use   is   the  epidermis?      The  dermis   or  true  skin? 
22.   State  why  the  perspiratory  glands    are   like  the  sewer 
pipes  of  a  house.       23.    Besides   furnishing   an   outlet   for 
perspiration,   what   other  useful    service  do  the  perspira- 
tory glands  serve?      24.   Tell  the  use   of  the  oil  glands. 
How   may   they   obstruct   the   skin?     25.   Show  how   the 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  333 

practice  of  trying  to  improve  the  complexion  by  applying 
paint  and  powder  may  be  harmful.  26.  State  how  often 
baths  should  be  taken,  and  why.  Why  should  we  be  as 
careful  about  having  all  parts  of  the  body  clean  as  we 
are  about  the  hands  and  face?  27.  Compare  tepid  and 
warm  baths.  28.  How  may  a  hot  bath  help  to  relieve 
a  cold?  29.  How  may  warm  water  be  an  aid  to  sleep? 
30.  Mention  a  good  time  to  take  hot  baths.  When 
should  hot  baths  not  be  taken?  31.  With  what  is 
it  well  to  precede  cold  baths?  32.  Describe  the  effects  of 
cold  baths.  33.  What  is  the  reaction?  How  can  we  tell 
if  the  practice  of  taking  cold  baths  is  harmful  to  us? 
34.  Mention  the  best  time  of  the  year  to  start  the  cold-bath 
practice.  Explain  the  benefits  of  energetic  rubbing  after 
taking  cold  baths.  35.  Tell  some  of  the  benefits  of  cold 
baths.  36.  State  the  difference  between  Russian  and 
Turkish  baths.  37.  What  are  some  of  the  advantages 
of  a  cabinet  bath?  38.  In  what  way  is  it  beneficial  to 
drink  several  glasses  of  water  before  taking  a  cabinet  or 
other  hot  bath?  39.  Why  should  wood  alcohol  not  be 
used  as  a  fuel  for  a  cabinet  bath?  40.  State  why  baths 
that  cause  a  profuse  flow  of  perspiration  are  more  necessary 
in  winter  than  in  summer.  41.  Mention  other  benefits 
of  water,  page  201.  42.  Relate  the  incident  concerning 
Benjamin  Franklin. 

CHAPTER  XX 

1.  (a)  Define  the  circulation,  (b)  Tell  why  it  is  necessary 
to  keep  the  circulation  of  blood  normal  in  every  part  of  the 
body.  2.  Mention  several  things  that  cause  the  arterial 
muscles  to  relax.  What  makes  these  muscles  contract? 

3.  Tell    how    tight    clothing   may    hinder    the    circulation. 

4.  Describe  our  marvellous  telegraph  system,  naming  the 
central    office,   the    main    wire,   etc.        5.    How   does   our 


334  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

telegraph  system  work,  page  207  ?      6.    Why  should  all  be 
especially  careful  not  to  injure  the  head  or  back  ? 

CHAPTER  XXI 

1.  Tell  why  human  beings  in  cold  or  temperate  climates 
need  clothing.  2.  Name  several  substances  that  are  poor 
conductors  of  heat.  •  3.  Why  are  two  or  more  thin  quilts 
warmer  than  one  quilt  of  thickness  equal  to  all  the  others? 
Why  is  loose  clothing  warmer  than  that  which  is  tight? 
4.  Tell  why  woolen  is  warm  clothing.  5.  How  does  cot- 
ton-mesh clothing  compare  in  warmth  with  closely  woven 
cotton?  Why?  6.  Why  should  underclothing  be  capable 
of  frequent  and  thorough  cleansing?  7.  Give  the  advan- 
tages of  and  the  objections  to  woolen  underclothing. 
8.  State  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  cotton  under- 
wear. 9.  Tell  what  is  said  of  linen  mesh.  10.  State 
the  benefits  of  airing  our  underclothing  at  night.  11.  Why 
is  it  not  best  to  wear  too  much  clothing  daytimes  or  to  have 
too  much  over  us  while  sleeping?  12.  What  is  said  about 
neck-scarfs?  13.  Why  is  it  unwise  for  parents  to  dress 
their  children  too  warmly?  14.  Mention  the  harm  of 
wearing  too  heavy  hats  or  caps.  15.  Why  is  it  unusual 
to  see  bald-headed  women?  16.  Tell  about  the  "Blue 
Coat  School"  boys.  17.  Mention  several  things  boys 
should  do  to  help  prevent  baldness.  18.  Tell  how  bald- 
ness of  the  head  usually  develops,  page  216.  19.  Why 
should  shoe-leather  be  pliable?  What  is  the  advantage  of 
porous  leather?  20.  What  is  said  about  patent  leather 
shoes?  About  rubbers?  21.  State  the  advantage  of  laced 
shoes;  of  low,  broad  heels;  of  medium  weight  soles. 
22.  Tell  how  to  relieve  tender  feet.  23.  Why  should  all 
avoid  getting  shoes  and  stockings  wet? 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  335 

CHAPTER  XXII 

1.  Give  some  advantages  of  well-formed,  healthy  teeth. 
2.  What  is  the  crown  of  a  tooth?  The  root?  What  is 
the  enamel?  The  dentine?  3.  How  many  teeth  are  in 
the  temporary  set?  In  the  permanent  set?  4.  De- 
scribe the  incisors;  the  canines;  the  bicuspids;  the  molars. 
What  are  the  wisdom  teeth?  5.  Tell  what  causes  teeth 
to  decay.  6.  Describe  a  good  way  for  thoroughly  cleans- 
ing the  teeth.  If  this  is  done  but  once  a  day,  what  is  the 
best  time?  7.  Explain  the  benefit  of  using  dental  floss. 
8.  Why  is  it  well  to  follow  the  cleansing  of  our  teeth  with 
an  alkaline  mouth  wash  ?  9.  What  makes  an  inexpensive 
but  excellent  tooth  powder?  10.  How  often,  at  least,  is 
it  well  to  have  one's  dentist  examine  the  teeth?  11.  Ex- 
plain why  it  is  foolish  to  delay  going  to  a  dentist  when  we 
know  we  have  a  cavity  in  a  tooth.  12.  Tell  what  tartar 
is,  and  why  it  should  be  removed.  13.  State  with  what 
the  blood  must  supply  our  teeth  in  order  to  keep  them 
healthy.  What  foods  supply  such  materials  to  the 
blood?  What  foods  do  not?  14.  Of  what  benefit  to 
the  teeth  is  active  exercise?  15.  Why  should  the  first, 
or  temporary  teeth,  be  kept  clean  and  free  from  decay? 
16.  Explain  about  the  sixth-year  molars.  17.  Show 
how  losing  temporary  teeth  before  their  natural  time  may 
cause  the  permanent  set  to  be  irregular.  18.  What  harm 
may  come  to  the  teeth  of  a  little  child  from  allowing  it 
continually  to  suck  its  thumb,  or  something  similar?  How 
may  this  be  prevented?  19.  By  whom  can  an  irregular 
set  of  teeth  be  straightened  ?  When  should  this  be  done  ? 
20.  Explain  the  possible  harm  from  cracking  nuts;  biting 
thread;  picking  the  teeth  with  a  pin,  knife,  or  any  sharp 
instrument;  following  hot  drinks  or  food  with  cold,  or  vice 
versa.  21.  Why  should  medicines  containing  iron  or 


336  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

acid  be  taken  through  a  tube?  22.  Describe  the  harm 
that  may  come  to  the  teeth  from  eating  candy;  from  using 
tobacco. 

CHAPTER  XXIII 

1.  What  may  be  called  the  windows  of  Jack's  House? 
2.  Describe  the  white  of  the  eye.  3.  Tell  what  is  said  of 
the  cornea.  4.  What  and  where  is  the  iris?  What  pur- 
pose does  it  serve?  5.  What  is  the  pupil  of  the  eye? 
6.  What  part  of  the  eye  performs  the  same  work  as  the 
lens  of  a  camera?  7.  Tell  what  the  retina  is,  and  to  what 
part  of  a  camera  it  corresponds.  8.  In  order  to  have 
vision  of  the  eye  distinct,  where  must  the  rays  of  light  come 
to  a  focus?  9.  If  our  eyes  are  neither  nearsighted  nor 
farsighted,  on  what  part  of  the  eye  are  the  rays  of  light 
focused  when  we  look  at  a  distant  object?  10.  When 
we  look  at  near  objects,  what  is  necessary  in  order  to  bring 
the  rays  of  light  to  a  focus  on  the  retina,  provided  our 
eyes  are  normal  ?  11.  Why  are  the  muscles  of  a  normal 
eye  at  rest  when  a  person  is  looking  at  distant  objects? 
Why  must  its  muscles  always  work  when  one  is  looking  at 
near  objects?  12.  Why  is  it  restful  to  the  eyes  occasion- 
ally to  look  off  into  the  distance  when  we  are  doing  close 
work?  13.  Tell  what  is  meant  by  convergence,  page  238. 
14.  State  what  is  usually  the  cause  of  weak  sight  in  persons 
having  otherwise  normal  eyes,  and  tell  a  good  way  to  cure 
it.  15.  Give  the  points  mentioned  on  pages  239  and  240 
that  we  should  be  careful  about  while  reading.  16.  When 
and  why  should  colored  glasses  be  worn?  Why 
should  they  not  be  worn  at  other  times  unless  advised 
by  an  oculist?  17.  Give  two  good  reasons  why  we  should 
neither  read  nor  sew  by  twilight.  18.  Why  should  we  not 
read  by  a  flickering  light?  19.  When  should  we  not  do 
close  work  by  artificial  light  ?  Why  ?  20.  Tell  why  read- 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  337 

ing  while  riding  in  a  car  is  trying  to  the  eyes.  21.  State 
why  an  erect  position  of  the  body  is  best  for  the  eyes  while 
we  are  reading  or  studying.  22.  Why  is  it  well  not  to 
have  what  we  are  reading  lie  on  a  desk  or  other  flat  surface  ? 

23.  What    is    said     about    reading    while    lying    down? 

24.  Why  should  one  not  read  when  the  body  is  weak  from 
illness?       25.    Give   a   good   reason  why  delicate   children 
should  not  commence  attending  school  until  they  become 
strong,  page  241.       26.    Tell   why  one  should  not  sew  on 
dark  materials  by  artificial  light.       27.    Why  should  thick 
or  spotted  veils  not  be  worn?       28.    State  why  we  should 
be  careful    not  to    expose    our   eyes    suddenly   to   intense 
light.       29.    What  is  said  about  using  a  microscope,  page 
243?      30.    Why    is    washing    the    eyes    in     cool    water 
when  they  feel  uncomfortable  better  than  rubbing  them  ? 
31.    Who  should  always  be  consulted  when  there  is  a  dis- 
charge from  an  infant's  eyes?     How  much  of  all    blind- 
ness is  said  to  be  due  to  lack  of  attention  to  such  condition 
of   babies'   eyes?       32.    What   proportion   of   the    children 
in  the  Batavia  Asylum  for  the  Blind  are  there  because  of 
attention   not   having  been   given   to  such  discharge  from 
their  eyes  when  they  were  infants?       33.    What  care  should 
be  taken  that  none  of  such  discharge  gets  into  the  eyes  of 
other  people?       34.    State  why  the  eyes  of  infants  should 
at  all  times  be  screened  from  strong  light.       35.   Tell  some 
other  things  to  be  careful  about  in  regard  to  our  reading, 
page  245.     36.  Mention  one  great  benefit  of  legible  writing. 
37.   Tell  how  to  get  a  particle  of  dust  or  a  cinder  out  of  the 
eye.      38.    If  a  cinder  is  not  removed  by  such  attempts, 
why  should  an  oculist  be  at  once  consulted  ?       39.    Why  are 
percussion  caps  a  great  source  of  danger  to  children's  eyes  ? 
40.    How  may   workmen   protect   their  eyes?      41.    What 
should   be  done   when   quicklime  or  mortar  gets  into  the 
eye?      When   an   acid    gets   in?       42.   Tell    what   is   said 


338  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

about  the  dangers  to  the  eye  from  wood  alcohol  and 
substances  made  from  it.  43.  Why  may  patent  medi- 
cines, Jamaica  ginger,  etc.,  injure  the  eyes?  44.  State 
why  one  should  avoid  using  a  towel  that  persons  having  a 
disease  may  have  used.  45.  Why  is  plenty  of  sleep  good 
for  the  eyes?  46.  Tell  the  estimate  Dr.  Cohn  makes  in 
regard  to  one  thousand  cases  of  blindness,  page  249. 

47.  State    why    concave    glasses    correct    nearsightedness. 

48.  Tell  how  school  children  often  bring  on  nearsightedness. 

49.  Describe  the  experiment  in  regard   to  nearsightedness 
which    the    German    government    made.       50.    Give    some 
good  evidences  of  farsight.     What  kind  of  glass  corrects 
farsight?        51.   To     what    is    astigmatism    usually   due? 
How  may   it    be    recognized,    page    254?       When  neither 
concave  nor  convex  glasses   correct  the  eye's  defect,  what 
is  usually  the  difficulty  ?     52     What  is  the  usual  cause  of 
squint   or   cross-eye?     Tell  why  it  should   be  immediately 
attended  to.       53.    Mention  some  warnings  of  the  fact  that 
our   eyes   probably  need   glasses   to    correct   some   defect. 
54.    Give  some  good  reasons  why  it  is  very  foolish  for  chil- 
dren not  to  wear  glasses  when  they  have  some  defect  of 
vision.     55.   Why  are  spectacles  better  than  nose  glasses? 
56.   Relate  the  experience  of  Francisque  Sarcey.      57.    In 
all  eye  tests,  why  is  it  important  to  keep  one  eye  covered 
while  the  other  is  being  tested  ?     58.    Why  should  the  ques- 
tion of  expense  not   delay  us  in   having  our  eyes  treated 
by  an   oculist?       59.    Give    some   good  rules  to  guide  us 
daily  in  the  use  of  our  eyes.     60.    State  how   weak   eyes 
may  be   benefited.      How    may    defective    eyes    be    cor- 
rected ? 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  339 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

1.  Tell  how  good  hearing  contributes  toward  our  use- 
fulness and  pleasure.  2.  Mention  the  three  divisions  of 
the  ear.  3.  What  is  the  auricle?  The  auditory  canal? 

4.  What  are  the  earwax  glands,   and  what  is  their  use? 

5.  Why  should  we  not  try  to  dig  or  swab  out  the  earwax? 

6.  Describe  the  drumhead.         7.    What  is  the  Eustachian 
tube?       8.   Tell  how  sound  impressions  get  to  the  brain, 
page    265.       9.    What    is    said    about    impacted    earwax, 
pages  265  and  266?       10.    State  how  a  foreign  body  may 
be  removed  from  the  ear.     How  should  it  not  be  removed, 
and   why?       11.    Tell    how    the    drumhead   is    sometimes 
punctured.       12.    Explain  why  picking  the  ear  with  a  pen- 
cil   or   any   pointed    instrument   is    dangerous.        13.    Ex- 
plain the  danger  of  suddenly  shouting  into  a  person's  ear; 
of  boxing  or  striking  any  one  on  the  ear.       14.    Why  is 
the  stoppage  of  the  Eustachian  tube  one  of  the  gravest 
dangers  to  the  ears?    Tell  why  colds,  catarrh,  etc.,  cause 
this   tube   to   become   stopped   up.       15.    Why  should   an 
aurist  be  at  once  consulted  if  there  is  any  derangement 
of  hearing  with  or  after  a  cold?       16.   The  stoppage  of  the 
Eustachian  tube  also  often  occurs  after  what  two  serious 
diseases  of  children?       17.   Of  what  are  unusual  sounds  in 
the  ear  a  sign?       18.    Why  should  little  children's  hearing 
be    frequently   tested?       19.   Tell    how   earache    may   be 
relieved,  page   269.       20.    Explain   why   an  aurist   should 
be    at    once    consulted    when    there   is    a    discharge    from 
the   ear.       21.    State   why   diving   and    jumping   into   the 
water  are   likely  to   injure   the   hearing.       22.    How   may 
our  ears  be  protected  when  we  are  going  where  loud  explo- 
sions will   take   place?       23.    How  may  persons  who  work 
around    noisy    machinery   protect   their   ears?       24.    Men- 
tion a  drug  that  is  said  to  cause  deafness.       25.    What  is 


340  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

one    of    the     greatest    dangers    of    deafness,    page    273? 

26.  What  is  often  the  cause  of  pupils  being  stupid  and 
disorderly  in  school?     How  may  this  cause  be  removed? 

27.  Tell  how  ears  may  be  tested.       28.    Mention  several 
signs  that  are  warnings  of  possible  ear  trouble,   page   274. 
29.    Why  should  deafness  in  only  one  ear  be  a  matter  of 
serious  concern?       30.    Mention  some  of  the  discomforts 
of  deaf  persons. 

CHAPTER  XXV 

1.  Tell  some  of  the  benefits  of  sleep.  2.  How  many 
hours  of  sleep  should  children  have?  Adults?  3.  What 
benefit  will  sometimes  come  from  a  few  hours'  or  a  few  days' 
rest  in  bed?  4.  Tell  why  pure  air  is  necessary  to  restful 
sleep.  5.  What  is  said  on  page  277  about  bed-clothing? 
Pillow?  Mattress?  6.  Why  is  "Early  to  bed  and  early 
to  rise"  a  good  motto?  7.  Tell  why  it  is  well  to  have  a 
regular  time  for -retiring  and  rising.  8.  What  is  said  on 
page  278  about  children's  sleeping  with  an  old  person? 

9.  Mention     some     causes     of     sleeplessness,     page     279. 

10.  How    may    we    help    to    avoid    sleeplessness?      Why 
should  persons  doing   mental  work    take   special    pains    in 
these  respects?       11.   Tell  why  it  is  unwise  to  sit  up  late 
at  night  to  prepare  for  next  day's  examination.       12.    Men- 
tion the  causes  given   on   page   281    that   often   result  in 
breaking  down  the  health  of  school  children.     13.    If  children 
attend  dancing  school  or  theater,  it  should  only  be  on  what 
nights?       14.    What  is  said  on  page  281  about  knowledge 
gained  by  cutting  off  needed  rest  at  night  ? 

CHAPTER  XXVI 

1.  Tell  why  it  is  wise  immediately  to  cleanse  and  cover 
cuts.  2.  Why  should  a  physician  always  be  sent  for  in 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  341 

case  of  a  severe  cut?  3.  Describe  a  Spanish  windlass 
or  tourniquet.  4.  If  a  person  receives  a  severe  cut  while 
out  of  doors  alone,  what  is  the  best  plan?  5.  What  will 
usually  stop  or  retard  the  flow  of  blood  from  a  cut,  at  least 
until  the  doctor  comes?  6.  How  may  bleeding  from  the 
nose  usually  be  stopped?  7.  What  is  said  about  a  wide 
cut,  page  286?  8.  What  is  the  simplest  and  best  home 
remedy  for  a  burn?  9.  Why  should  a  physician  be  at 
once  summoned  if  more  than  a  small  surface  is  burned? 
10.  State  the  best  thing  to  do  when  clothing  accidentally 
takes  fire.  11.  How  should  burns  from  acid  be  treated? 
Burns  from  alkali?  12.  Tell  what  is  said  about  sunstroke; 
about  heat  exhaustion.  13.  What  is  a  good  remedy  when 
only  a  very  small  part  of  the  body  is  frozen?  14.  Tell 
how  to  treat  a  severely  frozen  person  before  the  doctor 
comes.  15.  Describe  Sylvester's  method  for  restoring 
respiration.  16.  Tell  what  else  may  be  done  while 
artificial  respiration  is  in  progress.  17.  What  is  one 
of  the  quickest  ways  of  relieving  a  child  who  has  got 
something  in  his  windpipe?  18.  Tell  the  usual  cause  of 
fainting,  and  state  how  to  relieve  this  condition.  19.  In 
cases  of  unconsciousness,  what  is  a  good  rule  to  follow 
until  a  physician  arrives?  20.  As  a  rule,  what  is  the 
best  thing  to  do  in  a  case  of  poisoning  while  awaiting  a 
physician's  arrival?  21.  Mention  some  remedies  that 
may  be  used  if  the  poison  is  known  to  be  an  acid;  if  it  is 
known  to  be  an  alkali.  22.  Tell  what  is  said  of  poison 
ivy. 

CHAPTER  XXVII 

1.  Mention  some  diseases  that  are  caused  by  minute 
plants  or  animals.  2.  In  what  kind  of  tissue  do  these 
usually  not  thrive?  When  are  they  likely  to  get  a  start 
in  the  body?  3.  Tell  about  the  rapidity  with  which  they 


342  HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION 

increase.  4.  In  cases  of  consumption,  pneumonia,  etc., 
where  are  these  germs?  In  cases  of  typhoid  fever?  In 
scarlet  fever,  measles,  etc.  ?  5.  How  may  disease  germs 
get  from  one  person  to  another?  6.  Mention  several 
ways  of  destroying  disease  germs,  page  296.  7.  De- 
scribe the  patent  spittoons  for  the  use  of  consumptives.  If 
an  ordinary  spittoon  is  used,  what  solution  should  it  con- 
tain? 8.  What  should  a  patient  be  careful  to  do  while 
coughing?  9.  Why  should  rugs,  pictures,  etc.,  be  removed 
from  the  room  of  a  person  ill  with  a  germ  disease? 
10.  Mention  some  of  the  duties  of  a  city  or  village  health 
officer.  Why  should  his  instructions  always  be  carefully 
obeyed?  11.  Tell  the  benefits  of  vaccination.  12.  What 
disease  is  called  "The  Great  White  Plague"?  13.  How 
did  the  deaths  from  tuberculosis  alone  in  the  United  States 
in  1899  compare  with  the  total  number  of  deaths  from 
diphtheria,  smallpox,  typhoid  fever,  and  whooping-cough  ? 
14.  When  do  consumption  germs  usually  get  their  start? 
Where  is  the  usual  beginning  place?  15.  Mention  several 
of  the  usual  symptoms  of  the  beginning  and  progress  of 
consumption.  16.  Why  should  every  house  possess  a 
clinical  thermometer?  17.  What  is  said  about  temper- 
ature on  page  303?  About  the  pulse-rate?  18.  Tell 
three  marked  signs  of  consumption  that  are  often  given 
little  attention,  page  304.  19.  Tell  how  consumption 
may  be  prevented  from  spreading  in  a  family  or  neigh- 
borhood. Give  some  arguments  in  favor  of  this  statement. 

20.  Explain  'why   a   fine   is  imposed   for  expectorating  in 
street-cars,    etc.        Tell    why   all   should    obey   such    rules. 

21.  Why  is  it  a  great  mistake  for  any  one  who  may  have 
incipient  tuberculosis  to  try  patent  medicines  ?       22.    What 
are  the  two  things  most  useful  in  increasing  a  consumptive's 
vitality  and  power  of  resistance?       23.    Name  some  foods 
that  are  excellent  for  tuberculosis  patients.     Why  is  olive 


HELPS  IN  LESSON  PREPARATION  343 

oil  especially  good?  24.  Mention  some  regions  to  which 
tuberculosis  patients  are  sent.  25.  Tell  about  the  out- 
of-door  life  of  tuberculosis  patients  in  such  regions.  26.  Are 
alcoholic  drinks  a  help  or  a  hindrance  to  persons  ill  with 
tuberculosis?  27.  Mention  some  classes  of  people  who 
are  likely  to  have  tuberculosis,  page  310.  28.  Tell  some 
special  precautions  that  such  persons  should  take. 


GLOSSARY 

KEY  TO   THE   MARKINGS 

(From  Webster's  International  Dictionary) 


a 

as  in 

fate 

e 

as  in  fern 

U  as 

in 

rude 

& 

tt  tt 

sen  'ate 

e 

"  "    re-cent 

u    " 

tt 

full 

§, 

U     1  1 

care 

i 

"  *'    ice 

u    " 

tt 

up 

a 

tt    tt 

am 

t 

"  ««    t-de'a 

u    " 

tt 

urn 

a 

"  " 

arm 

I 

tt  tt    m 

y  " 

tt 

pit'y 

a 

u    u 

ask 

0 

"  u    old 

00  " 

tt 

food 

a 

u    u 

fi'nal 

6- 

u  "    6-bey 

do  " 

" 

foot 

a 

it    tt 

all 

6 

tt  it    5rb 

ou" 

1  1 

out 

6 

tt    tt 

eve 

6 

"  "    odd 

oi  " 

tt 

oil 

* 

tt    tt 

e"-vent 

u 

"  "    use 

n  (like  ] 

ng) 

as  in 

bank 

e 

It    tt 

end 

u 

"  "    u-nite' 

'  indicates  primary  accent. 
"  indicates  secondary  accent. 


abnormally  (ab-n6r'mal-ly),  adv.,  in  a  manner  not  normal  or  natural. 

absorb  (Sb-sorb'),  v.t.,  to  take  up  like  a  sponge. 

abstainer  (ab-stan'gr),  w.,  one  who  abstains. 

accidentally  (ak"si-den'tal-ly),  adv.,  by  chance. 

accommodate(ak-kom'mo-dat),  v.t.,  to  adapt  or  adjust. 

accommodation  (ak-kom "mo-da/ shun),  ?i.,  the  act  of  adapting  or  adjusting. 

accomplish  (ak-kom 'plish),  v.t.,  to  complete  or  fulfill. 

accountable  (ak-kount'a-b'l),  a.,  answerable. 

accumulation  (ak-ku/'mu-la/shun),  w.,  that  which  is  collected  or  increased. 

activity  (3k-tiv'i-ty),  n.,  the  state  of  being  active  or  lively. 

admiration  (ad"im-ra'shun),  n.,  wonder  mingled  with  pleasure. 

admiringly  (S,d-mlr'ing-]y),  adv.,  with  admiration. 

adolescence  (ad"6-leVsens),  w.,  the  state  of  growing  from  childhood  to 

maturity  ;  youth. 

adult  (a-dulf),  n.,  a  person  who  has  reached  his  growth. 

345 


346  GLOSSARY 

advantage  (Sd-van'taJ),  w.,  gain  or  benefit. 

aerate  (a'er-at),  v.t.,  to  supply  with  common  air. 

Alhambra  (Al-h£m'bra),  w.,  the  palace  of  the  Moorish  kings  at  Granada, 
Spain. 

alimentary  (al"I-m6n'ta-ry),  a.,  pertaining  to  food  or  to  the  functions 
of  nutrition. 

alternate  (Sl't6r-nat),  v.t.,  to  perform  by  turns  or  in  succession. 

anxiety  (an-zi'e-ty),  w.,  care,  uneasiness. 

appreciate  (&p-pre'shi-at),  v.t.,  to  value. 

architect  (ar'ki-tekt),  n.,  a  person  skilled  in  the  art  of  building. 

architecture  (ar'ki-tek"tur),  n.,  the  art  of  building. 

artery  (§,r'ter-y),  n.,  one  of  the  cordlike  canals  through  which  blood 
passes  from  the  heart  to  various  parts  of  the  body. 

atmosphere  (aVmos-fer),  n.,  the  air  of  a  place;  any  surrounding  influ- 
ence or  condition. 

auditory  (a/di-to-ry),  a.,  pertaining  to  hearing. 

aurist  (a/rist),  n.,  one  skilled  in  treating  disorders  of  the  ear. 

authority  (a-thor'i-ty),  n.,  rightful  power. 

autobiography  (a"t6-bi-6g'ra-fy),  n.,  the  story  of  one's  life  written  by 
one's  self. 

B 

bandage  (band'aj),  ».,  a  strip  of  cloth  used  in  binding  up  wounds. 

banquet  (bftn'kwet),  w.,  a  feast. 

benefactor  (ben"evf5,k'ter),  w.,  one  who  confers  a  favor. 

beneficial  (b6n"e-fish'al),  a.,  helpful. 

beverage  (beVer-a"j),  «.,  drink. 

blight  (blit),  v.t.,  to  destroy. 

blubber  (blub'ber),  w.,  the  fat  of  whales  and  other  large  sea  animals. 

boisterous  (bois'ter-us),  a.,  rough;  noisy. 

booty  (boo'ty),  w.,  plunder. 

C 

calculate  (kai'ku-lat),  v.t.,  to  estimate;  to  count. 

cavity  (kaVi-ty),  n.,  a  hollow  place. 

ceaseless  (ses'less),  a.,  without  pause  or  end. 

celebrated  (sel'e-bra"t6d),  a.,  famous. 

chafe  (chaf),  v.t.,  to  rub  ;  to  wear  by  rubbing. 

characteristic  (kar"&k-ter-is'tik),  n.,  a  distinguishing  quality. 

chemist  (kSm'ist),  n.,  a  person  skilled  in  chemistry. 

coddle  (kod'd'l),  v.t.,  to  treat  with  too  much  tenderness, 


GLOSSARY  347 

companionable  (kom-p&n'yun-a-b'l),  a.,  agreeable  ;  sociable. 

comparatively  (kom-paVa-tiv-ly),  adv.,  relative  to  other  things. 

compartment  (kom-part'ment),  n. ,  one  of  the  parts  into  which  an  in- 
closed space  is  divided. 

community  (k5m-mu'ni-ty),  n.,  place  or  neighborhood. 

compel  (kom-pel'),  v.t.,  to  force. 

completely  (kom-plet'ly),  adv.,  fully. 

component  (kom-po'nent),  n.,  one  of  the  parts  that  make  up  a  thing. 

comprehend  (kom"pre-h6nd'),  v.t.,  to  understand. 

compulsory  (kom-pul'so-ry),  a.,  enforced  by  law. 

concave  (kon'kav),  a.,  hollow  and  curved.     The  opposite  of  convex. 

considerably  (kon-sid'er-a-bly),  adv.,  much. 

constipation  (kon"sti-pa'shun),  n.,  a  state  of  the  bowels  in  which  the 
expulsion  of  waste  is  not  regular  or  sufficiently  frequent. 

construct  (kon-strukt'),  v.t.,  to  build  ;  to  make. 

content  (kon-te"nt'),  v.t.,  to  satisfy. 

contestant  (kon-tSst'ant) ,  n. ,  an  opponent ;  one  who  contests. 

continually  (kon-tin'u-al-ly),  adv.,  unceasingly;  without  stopping. 

contrive  (kon-trlv'),  v.t.,  to  plan;  to  devise. 

convex  (kon'veks),  a.,  rising  or  swelling  into  a  rounded  form.  The  oppo- 
site of  concave. 

counterbalance  (koun"ter-b<il'ans),  v.t.,  to  oppose  with  an  equal  weight  or 
power. 

create  (kre-af),  v.t.,  to  cause  to  exist. 

cumbersome  (kum'ber-sum),  a.,  burdensome  or  hindering. 


D 

degrade  (d5-grad'),  v.t.,  to  bring  shame  on  ;  to  disgrace,  to  debase. 

derange  (ds-ranj'),  v.t.,  to  disturb  ;  to  throw  into  disorder. 

derangement  (dg-ran j'ment),  n.,  disorder;  confusion. 

determination  (de"-ter"m!-na/shun),  n.,  decision. 

development  (de-vel'op-ment),  n.,  growth. 

diet  (di'et),  n.,  what  is  eaten  and  drunk  habitually. 

difficulty  (dif'fi-kul-ty),  n.,  a  thing  hard  to  do  ;  obstacle. 

dilute  (dT-lut'),  v.t.,  to  thin  by  mixing. 

disgust  (dis-gust'),  v.t.,  to  cause  loathing  ;  to  provoke  strong  distaste. 

dispute  (dis-puf),  v.t.,  to  question  the  truth  of. 

distasteful  (dis-tast'ful),  a.,  unpleasant;  offensive. 

distinctness  (dis-tinkt'nSss),  n.,  state  of  being  clearly  seen. 

distort  (dis-tdrt'),  v.t.,  to  twist  out  of  shape. 


348  GLOSSARY 

divergent  (dl-vgr'jent),  a.,  going  farther  and  farther  from  each  other, 
draught  (draft),  w.,  a  current  of  air  moving  through  an  inclosed  place- 
dub  (dub),  v.t.,  to  call, 
durability  (du"ra-bil'I-ty),  n.,  the  state  of  lasting. 

E 

effective  (Sf-fSk'tlv),  a.,  able  to  accomplish  results. 

elastic  (5-las'tik),  a.,  having  the  power  of  returning  back  to  the  form 
from  which  a  substance  has  been  bent  or  pressed  ;  springy. 

elasticity  (e'MSs-tis'I-ty),  n.,  quality  of  springing  back. 

emergency  (e"-mer'jen-sy),  n.,  an  unforeseen  happening. 

emotion  (e"-mo'shun),  w.,  excitement  of  the  feelings. 

endurance  (e"n-dur'mis),  n.,  the  act  of  bearing  or  suffering. 

enduring  (Sn-dur'mg),  a.,  lasting. 

energy  (e"n'gr-jy),  w.,  force;  power. 

enterprise  (Sn'ter-priz),  n.,  project ;  that  which  is  undertaken. 

enthusiastic  (e"n-thu"zi-as'tik),  a.,  filled  with  zeal  or  interest. 

estimation  (e"s"ti-ma/shun),  w.,  opinion  of  the  worth  of  anything. 

evaporate  (£-vap'6-rat),  v.L,  to  pass  off  in  vapor. 

excess  (gk-seV),  n.,  that  which  goes  beyond  what  is  usual  or  proper. 

exertion  (e"gz-er'shun),  w.,  a  laborious  effort. 

exhilaration  (6gz-il"a-ra'shun),  w.,  joyousness ;  high  degree  of  good  feel- 
ing. 

expand  (Sks-pand'),  v.t.,  to  spread  out. 

expansion  (Sks-pan'shun),  w.,  the  act  of  spreading  out. 

experience  (eks-pe'ri-ens),  w.,  practical  wisdom  gained  by  personal  knowl- 
edge, feeling,  or  action. 

experiment  (Sks-peVi-ment),  w.,  a  practical  test. 

expulsion  (6ks-pul'shun),  w.,  the  act  of  expelling  or  sending  out. 

extension  (6ks-teVshun),  n.,  enlargement;  increase. 

extract  (6ks-trakt'),  v.t.,  to  draw  out  or  forth. 


feasible  (fe'zi-b'l),  a.,  capable  of  being  done  ;  practicable. 

fetid  (f§t'id),  a.,  having  an  offensive  smell. 

fiber  (fl'ber),  »i.,  the  delicate,  thread-like  portions  of  which  the  tissues  of 

plants  and  animals  are  in  part  constituted, 
flavor  (fla'ver) ,  w.,  the  quality  of  anything  that  affects  the  taste, 
focus  (fo'kus),  n.,  a  point  at  which  the  rays  of  light  meet  and  at  which 

the  image  is  formed. 


GLOSSARY  349 

formaldehyde  (f6r-m51'de"-hld) ,  n.,  a  colorless  liquid  often  used  in  pre- 
serving milk  and  other  food. 

fortify  (f6r'ti-fi),  v.t.,  to  furnish  with  power  to  resist  attack. 

foundation  (foun-da'shun),  >i.,  that  on  which  anything  stands  or  by  which 
it  is  supported. 

frenzy  (frgn'zy),  n.,  any  violent  agitation  of  the  mind. 

frequently  (fre'kw6nt-ly),  adv.,  often;  repeatedly. 

function  (funk'shun),  u.,the  appropriate  action  of  any  special  organ  or 
part  of  an  animal. 

G 

gallant  (gSl'lant),  a.,  brave. 
general  (jen'er-al),  a.,  common  to  many, 
girth  (gerth),  n.,  the  measure  around  the  body, 
gradually  (gr&d'u-al-ty),  adv.,  slowly,  by  steps  or  degrees. 

H 

habitually  (ha-blt'ft-al-ly) ,  adv.,  as  a  matter  of  habit. 

handicap  (han'dt-kSp),  n.,  hindrance. 

hardship  (hard'ship),  n.,  that  which  is  hard  to  bear. 

hoard  (hord),  n.,  hidden  treasure. 

hygienic  (hl^i-firi'Ik),  a.,  sanitary;  having  good  health  conditions. 


immune  (Im-mun'),  a.,  protected  from. 

immunity  (im-mu'ni-ty),  n.,  freedom  from. 

impairment  (im-par'ment),  n.,  injury. 

impetus  (im'pe-tus),  n.,  momentum ;  force. 

impression  (Im-preWun),  w.,  influence  or  effect  on  the  senses  or  the 

intellect. 

improbable  (im-prob'a-b'l),  a.,  unlikely  to  be  true, 
incipient  (m-sip'I-ent),  a.,  beginning  to  be  or  to  show  itself, 
incompetent  (in-kom'p^-tent),  a.,  incapable ;  unfit, 
inconsiderate  (m"kon-sid'er-ate),  a.,  not  regarding  the  rights  of  others, 
indefinitely  (m-dgf'i-mt-ly),  adv.,  not  definitely, 
indistinct  (m"dis-t!nkt'),  a.,  not  clear, 
induce  (in-dus'),  v.t.,  to  influence. 
inexperienced  (in"8ks-pe'ri-enst),  a.,  unskilled. 
inflammation  (In"fl&m-ma'shun),  n.,  the  state  of  being  swollen, 
inflate  (in-flat'),  v.t.,  to  expand ;  to  enlarge. 


350  GLOSSARY 

ingredient  (m-gre'di-ent),  n.,  one  of  the  parts  that  make  up  or  compose 
a  mixture. 

inherit  (m-h6r'it),  v.t.,  to  receive  by  birth ;  to  come  into  possession  of. 

insidiously  (m-sid'I-us-ly),  adv.,  deceptively;  without  marked  symptoms. 

insufficient  (in"suf-fish'ent),  a.,  not  enough. 

intelligently  (In-teTli-jent-ly),  adv.,  with  readiness  of  understanding. 

intense  (In-tSns'),  a.,  extreme  in  degree. 

intentional  (m-tSn'shun-al),  «.,  done  by  design. 

international  (m"ter-naWun-al),  a.,  between  nations. 

introduction  (m"tro-duk'shun),  n.,  formally  making  persons  known  to 
each  other. 

intrude  (m-trud'),  v.t.  &  ?.,  to  enter  without  invitation  or  welcome. 

investigation  (in-ves"tl-ga'shun),  n.,  the  act  of  inquiring  into  or 
thoroughly  examining. 

investment  (In-veWment),  n.,  that  which  is  invested  or  put  into  some- 
thing with  a  view  of  obtaining  profit. 

invisible  (m-viz'i-b'l),  a.,  not  able  to  be  seen. 

irregularly  (ir-reg'u-lar-ly),  adv.,  not  natural;  not  uniform. 

irritable  (ir'ri-ta-b'l),  a.,  easily  made  out  of  temper  or  angry. 

isolated  (i'so-la-t£d),  a.,  separated  from  others. 

J 
justifiable  (jus"tl-fi'a-b'l),  a.,  in  a  manner  shown  to  be  just. 


languid  (laVgwid),  «-,  not  disposed  to  exert  one's  self  ;  not  active, 
liberally  (lib'er-al-ly) ,  adv.,  generously. 

listless  (list'18ss),  a.,  having  no  desire  or  inclination  ;  spiritless. 
lubricate  (lu'bri-kat),  v.t.,  to  make  smooth  or  slippery. 

M 

marvelous  (mar'vel-us),  a.,  wonderful ;  astonishing. 

massage  (m&s'-sa'j),  n.,  a  rubbing  or  kneading  of  the  body. 

menu  (me-nu'),  n.,  bill  of  fare. 

microscope  (ml'kr6-skop),  n.,  an  instrument  for  making  an  enlarged 

image  of  a  small  object. 

miser  (mi'zer),  n.,  one  who  lives  miserably  to  increase  his  wealth. 
moderately  (mod'er-at-ly),  adv.,  in  a  manner  not  extreme  or  violent, 
moisture  (mois'tur),  n.,  liquid  in  small  quantities. 
multitude  (mul'ti-tud),  n.,  a  great  number;  a  crowd. 


GLOSSARY  351 

museum  (mu-ze'um),  n.,  a  collection  of  curiosities  or  works  of  art. 
mysterious  (mis-te'ri-us),  a.,  difficult  to  understand  ;  containing  mystery. 

N 

necessitate  (n^-ses'si-tat),  v.t.,  to  make  necessary  ;  to  compel, 
nervousness  (nerv'us-ness),  n.,  the  state  of  being  easily  excited, 
normal  (nor'mal),  a.,  according  to  established  rule  or  regular  form, 
nourish  (nur'Ish),  v.t.,  to  feed  and  cause  to  grow, 
nutriment  (nu'tri-ment),  n. ,  that  which  nourishes  ;  food, 
nutritious  (nu-trlsh'iis) ,  a.,  giving  nutriment. 

O 

obstruction  (ob-struk'shun),  n.,  that  which  bars  or  obstructs. 

obviate  (6b'vi-at),  v.t.,  to  make  unnecessary. 

oculist  (ok'u-list),  n.,  one  skilled  in  treating  diseases  of  the  eye. 

odorless  (o'der-less),  a.,  free  from  smell. 

offensive  (of-fSn'siv),  a.,  displeasing. 

oil  of  vitriol  (vit'ii-ul),  n.,  strong  sulphuric  acid. 

opaque  (o-pak'),  a.,  not  transparent. 

ornamental  (6r"na-men't«l),  a.,  that  which  ornaments  or  beautifies. 

overindulgence  (o^ver-m-dul'.^!^),  n.,  taking  too  much  of  anything. 

overwhelm  (6"ver- whelm'),  v.t.,  to  cover  over  completely  ;  to  oppose  over- 

poweringly. 
oxidize  (oks'I-dlz),  v.t.,  to  combine  with  oxygen. 


pallor  (pSl'ler),  n.,  want  of  color. 

papier-mache  (pa"pya-ma"sha''),  w.,  a  hard  and  strong  substance  made 
of  a  pulp  from  paper  mixed  with  glue. 

parallel  (par'al-lel),  a.,  extended  in  the  same  direction,  and  in  all  parts 
equally  distant. 

penetrate  (pen'e-trat),  v.t.,  to  enter  into. 

percussion  cap  (per-kush'unkap),  n.,  a  small  copper  cap  containing  gun- 
powder. 

peril  (peVil),  n.,  danger. 

persist  (pgr-sist ),  v.i.,  to  keep  trying  ;  to  persevere. 

physical  (flz'i-kal),  a.,  relating  to  the  bodily  structure. 

physician  (fi-zish'an),  w.,  a  person  skilled  in  the  art  of  healing  ;  a  doctor 
of  medicine. 

pirate  (pi' rat),  n.,  a  robber  on  the  high  seas. 


352  GLOSSARY 

Pisa  (Pe'za;,  w.,  city  in  Italy,  having  a  famous  leaning  tower- 
pollute  (pol-luf),  v.t.,  to  make  unclean, 
porous  (por'us),  a.,  full  of  pores  or  small  openings, 
posture  (pos'tur),  n.,  position  of  the  body, 
precaution  (pre~-ka/shun),  n.,  previous  care, 
preestablish  (pre"e"s-t£b'lish),  v.t.,  to  establish  beforehand, 
preferable  (pref  Sr-a-b'l),  a.,  worthy  to  be  chosen  before  something  else, 
preference  (pr6f'5r-ens),  n.,  choice, 
preparation  (pr6p"a-ra'shun),  n.,  a  making  ready, 
preserve  (pre"-z§rv'),  v.t.,  to  keep  or  save  from  injury, 
prevalence  (preVa-lens),  n.,  the  state  of  being  widespread, 
preventive  (pre"-ve"nt'iv),  n.,  that  which  hinders, 
principal  (prm'si-pal),  a.,  most  important, 
process  (pros'6s),  n.,  way  of  doing, 
prodigious  (prft-dij'us),  a.,  very  large. 
profuse  (pro-Ms'),  a.,  large  in  quantity. 
prohibit  (pr6-hib'it),  v.t.,  to  forbid, 
projection  (prO-jSk'shun),  n.,  a  part  jutting  out. 
proportion  (pro-p5r'shun) ,  n.,  proper  share, 
prosperity  (pros-pSr'i-ty) ,  n. ,  good  fortune  ;  success. 
puncture  (punk'tvir),  n.,  a  small  hole  made  by  a  point, 
purification  (pu"ri-fi-ka'shun),  n.,  the  act  of  making  pure  or  clean, 
putrid  (pu'trid),  a.,  foul,  or  decayed. 


radiate  (ra'dl-at),  v.t.,  to  send  out  in  direct  lines  from  a  point  or  points. 

rancid  (rS,n'sId),  a.,  having  a  rank  smell  or  taste  ;  musty. 

realize  (re'al-iz),  v.t.,  to  understand  to  be  real ;  to  comprehend  fully. 

rearrange  (re"&r-ranj'),  v.t.,  to  place  in  a  different  way. 

reduce  (re"-dus'),  v.t.,  to  diminish  ;  to  lower. 

reflection  (re"-fl£k'shun),   n.,   the  act  of  thinking  over  or  considering; 

state  of  being  reflected. 

refrain  (r£-fran'),  v.L,  to  keep  one's  self  from  action  ;  to  abstain, 
regularity  (r6g"u-laVi-ty),  n.,  the  condition  or  quality  of  being  regular, 
regularly  (r6g'u-ler-ly),  adv.,  in  due  order  or  time, 
regulate  (reg'u-lat),  v.t.,  to  direct  by  rule, 
relax  (r£-laks'),  v.t.,  to  loosen. 

reliable  (reMi'a-b'l),  a.,  trustworthy  ;  fit  to  be  relied  on. 
remote  (re"-m5t;),  a.,  far  away, 
repulsive  (r£-pul'slv),  a.,  forbidding;  offensive. 
resident  (reVI-dent),  n,  one  who  dwells  in  a  place  for  some  time. 


GLOSSARY  353 

resistance  (r£-zlst'ans) ,  n.,  opposition  ;  the  act  of  withstanding, 
responsible  (re"-spon'si-b'l),  a.,  able  to  answer  for  one's  conduct, 
rhythmic  (rith'mlk),  a.,  having  a  regular  succession  of  motion, 
robust  (r6-bust;),  a.,  strong  ;  vigorous. 


S 

sanatorium  (s5n"a-t5'ri-um),  n.,  a  resort  for  invalids. 

sedentary  (s6d'e"n-t£-ry),  a.,  inactive  ;  much  sitting. 

sewage  (su'dj),  n.,  the  contents  of  a  sewer  or  drain. 

shun  (shun),  v.t.,  to  avoid  ;  to  keep  clear  of. 

solicitous  (so-lis'it-us),  a.,  eager;  anxious. 

solution  (s6"-hVshun) ,  n.,  the  state  of  being  dissolved. 

sparingly  (spar'ing-ly),  adv.,  savingly. 

spectacle  (spSk'ta-k'l),  n.,  a  remarkable  or  noteworthy  sight. 

spurious  (spu'ri-us),  a.,  false  ;  not  genuine. 

stagnant  (stag'nant),  a.,  not  flowing. 

staple  (sta'p'l),  a.,  regularly  produced  in  large  quantities. 

steerage  (ster'a^j),  n.,  the  space  in  the  after  part  of  a  vessel,  under  the 

cabin. 

structure  (struk'tur) ,  n. ,  arrangements  of  parts ;  a  building, 
stunt  (stunt),  v.t.,  to  stop  or  to  lessen, 
substance  (sub'stans),  n.,  material. 

substitute  (siib'sti-tut),  v.t.,  to  put  in  the  place  of  another  person  or  thing, 
suffocate  (suf'fo-kat),  v.t.,  to  stifle  ;  to  smother. 
supplement  (sup'pl£-ment),  v.t.,  to  add  something  to. 
systematic  (sis'^gm-St'Ik),  a.,  proceeding  according  to  regular  method, 
systematically  (sis"t6m-3,t'i-kal-ly) ,  adv.,  in  a  systematic  manner. 


tax  (tSks),  v.t.,  to  lay  a  burden  upon. 

tedious  (te'di-us),  a.,  tiresome. 

temperature  (t6m'per-a-tur),  n.,  condition  with  respect  to  heat  or  cold. 

temporary  (te'm'po-ra'-ry),  a.,  lasting  for  a  time  only. 

tendency  (tSnd'en-sy),  n.,  direction  or  course  toward  any  place,  object, 

effect,  or  result ;  disposition  or  inclination  for. 
testimony  (teVti-m6-ny),  n.,  evidence  ;  proof  of  some  fact, 
threshold  (thrSsh'old),  n.,  entrance,  beginning. 
thrive  (thriv),  v.i.,  to  grow  vigorously. 
transmit  (trans-mif),  v.t.,  to  cause  to  pass  over  or  through. 

2A 


354  GLOSSARY 

U 

undefiled  (un-d^-fil'd'),  a.,  pure  ;  not  corrupted  or  unclean, 
undetected  (un-de"-tSk'ted),  a.,  not  found  out. 
ungainly  (un-gan'ly),  «.,  clumsy  ;  awkward, 
universal  (u"m-ver'sal) ,  a.,  unlimited ;  all-reaching, 
unnaturally  (un-n&t'u-ral-ly),  adv.,  contrary  to  the  order  of  nature, 
unnecessarily  (un''n8s-8s-s4'rf-ly),  adv.,  needlessly. 
unpalatable  (un-paTa"-ta-b'l),  a.,  not  agreeable  to  the  taste. 
unquestionably  (un-kwSsfchun-a-b'ly),  adv.,  without  doubt. 
unwholesome  (un-hol'sum),  a.,  not  tending  to  promote  health. 


variety  (va-ri'e'-ty),  n.,  the  state  of  being  different. 

various  (va'ri-us),  a.,  different. 

vein  (van),  n.,  one  of  the  cord-like  canals  through  which  blood  passes  to 

the  heart. 

vibration  (vi-bra'shun),  n.,  motion  to  and  fro  as  a  pendulum, 
vigorous  (vig'er-us),  a.,  strong;  robust, 
violence  (vl  6-lens),  n.,  force;  highly  excited  action, 
vision  (vizh'un),  w.,  sight. 
vital  (vi'tal),  a.,  necessary  to  life, 
vitality  (vt-tai'i-ty),  n.,  life  ;  vital  force, 
vulnerable  (vul'ngr-a-b'l),  adv.,  capable  of  being  wounded. 

W 
well-poised  (wei-poiz'd7),  a.,  well-balanced. 


INDEX 


Absorption,  28,  29. 

Adenoids,  152. 

Air,  7,  97-182. 

Albumen,  43,  48. 

Alcoholic  drinks,  72-85,  309. 

Alimentary  canal,  17. 

Almonds,  65. 

Amherst  College,  180. 

Aorta,  108,  111. 

Apples,  65,  66. 

Aqueous  humor,  235. 

Arteries,  106,  284. 

Artificial  lights,  122,  240. 

Artificial  respiration,  289,  290. 

Astigmatism,  253. 

Athletic  training,  79,  80. 

Atomizer,  156,  272. 

Auditory  canal,  263. 

Bacilli,  301,  308. 

Bacon,  47. 

Bacteria,   35,   36,    67,    135,     136, 

295. 

Baked  potatoes,  91. 
Bananas,  65,  66. 
Baseball,  173. 
Baths,  195-202,  309. 
Beans,  64. 
Beef,  46,  47. 
Between  meals,  89,  90. 
Beverages,  69-85. 
Bile,  27. 

Black  Hole  of  Calcutta,  124. 
Blood,    106-112,    147,     172,    196, 

197,    198,   203-205,  215,  218, 

222,  228,  241,   279,    283-285, 

291,  292. 


Blood  poisoning,  284. 
Bones,  5,  143,  144,  264,  314. 
Boracic  acid,  156,  247. 
Bowels,  evacuation  of,  29. 
Brain  workers,  91. 
Bread,  56-61. 
Breathing,  143-157. 
Broiled  meats,  91. 
Bronchial  tubes,  105. 
Broth,  90. 
Burns,  286. 
Butter,  41. 

Cabinet  bath,  199,  200. 

Cake,  60. 

Camera,  235. 

Candling  eggs,  45. 

Candy,  86-89. 

Canned  fruits,  66,  67. 

Canned  vegetables,  64. 

Canning,  67. 

Capillaries,  106,  111,  112. 

Carbohydrates,  13. 

Carbon  dioxid  or  carbonic  acid  gas, 

101-104,    111-113,    115-118, 

121. 

Cartilage,  163. 
Cervantes,  282. 
Chain  of  bones,  264. 
Cheese,  42. 
Chicken,  46. 
Chocolate,  70,  71. 
Choking,  291. 
Choroid  coat,  234. 
Chyle,  28. 
Chyme,  27,  28. 
Cigarettes,  180.* 


355 


356 


INDEX 


Circulation,  107-111,  197,  203, 
205,  216,  218,  228,  241,  279, 
280,  288. 

Clinical  thermometer,  303. 

Clothing,   209-220. 

Cocoa,  70,  71. 

Coffee,  69,  70,  90,  91. 

Conn,  Dr.,  249. 

Colored  glasses,  240. 

Combustion,  100-103,  113,  115, 
116. 

Complexion,  195. 

Concave  glasses,  250. 

Condensed  milk,  40,  41. 

Constipation,  63. 

Consumption,  128,  295,  301-313. 

Contagious  diseases,  295-313. 

Convex  glasses,  253. 

Corn,  55. 

Cornea,  234. 

Corpuscles,  111. 

Cotton,  210-212. 

Cream,  34. 

Cross-eye,  255. 

Crystalline  lens,  235. 

Custard,  91. 

Cuts,  283,  284. 

Daniel,  94,  96. 

Deafness,  153,  262,  263,  269,  272- 

275. 

Deep  breathing,  148,  149,  158. 
Dental  floss,  225. 
Dermis,  192. 

Diaphragm,  144,  145,  163. 
Diaphragmatic  breathing,  146. 
Digestion,  16-31. 
Diphtheria,  298. 
Doughnuts,  60,  91. 
Draught,  122. 
Dried  beef,  47. 
Dried  fruits,  66. 
Drowning,  288-290. 
Drumhead,  264. 
Dusting,  137. 


Ear,  262-275. 

Earache,  269. 

Ear-drum,  263,  264. 

Earwax,  263,  264. 

Eggs,  43-48. 

Emergencies,  283-294. 

Entire  wheat  flour,  58. 

Epidermis,  192. 

Esau,  88. 

Esophagus,  22. 

Eustachian  tube,   264,   268,  269, 

272. 

Exercise,  163-176. 
Expectoration,  295,  297. 
Eyes,  233-261. 

Farsightedness,  252. 

Fat,  10-12. 

Fireplace,  132. 

Fish,  51-53. 

Food,  6-96. 

Food  habits,  86-96. 

Formaldehyde,  34,  296. 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  201,  202. 

Freezing,  288. 

Fruit,  65-68. 

Gall  bladder,  27. 
Gastric  juice,  23,  25. 
Germs,  295,  296. 
Ginger  ale,  72. 
Gladstone,  William  E.,  21. 
Glazed  paper,  245. 
Golf,  173. 
Greeks,  94. 

Hair,  214-217. 
Ham,  47. 

Harvey,  Dr.  William,  109. 
Health  officer,  298. 
Heart,  106-109,  117. 
Heat  exhaustion,  287. 
Hitchcock,  Dr.,  180. 
Hodge,  Dr.  C.  F.,  77. 
Horseback  riding,  173. 


INDEX 


357 


Humidity,  104. 
Hydrochloric  acid,  23. 

Ice  cream,  72. 

Influenza,  295. 

Insensible       perspiration,       104, 

193. 

Insomnia,  278. 
Insurance,  80,  178. 
Intestinal  digestion,  27,  31. 
Intestinal  juice,  28. 
Intestines,  17,  22. 
Intercostal  muscles,  163. 
Iris,  234. 
Iron,  14. 

Jacob,  88. 
Jam,  66,  90. 
Jamaica  ginger,  248. 
Japan,  56. 
Japanese,  51,  191. 
Jellies,  66. 

Kane,  Dr.,  12. 
Kidneys,  193,  194. 

Lamb,  47. 
Legumes,  64. 
Lewis,  Dr.  F.  Park,  243. 
Lime,  14. 

Limewater,  32,  115,  226. 
Liquid  glass,  44. 
Liver,  22,  27. 
Londonderry,  steamer,  124. 
Lungs,    105,   112,    117,    119,    145, 
193,  194. 

Magnesia,  14. 

Mastication,  18-21,  228. 

Measles,  269,  296,  298,  299. 

Meat,  46-51. 

Medicines,  30. 

Melba,  Madame,  174-176. 

Milk,  32-41. 

Mouth  breathing,  150. 


Mumps,  298. 
Mutton,  47. 

Nearsightedness,  241,  250,  251. 

Nebuchadnezzar,  94. 

Nervous  system,  205-208. 

Night  sweats,  304. 

Nitrogen,  9,  101,  115. 

Nitrogenous  foods,  9. 

Nose,  150. 

Nosebleed,  285. 

Nose  breathing,  150-157. 

Nose  glasses,  258. 

Nuts,  64,  65. 

Oatmeal,  55. 

Oil  glands,  192,  194. 

Oleomargarine,  41,  42. 

Olive  oil,  11,  308. 

Olympic  games,  79,  80. 

Optic  nerve,  235. 

Oranges,  66. 

Oxygen,    99-101,    106,    111,  112, 

114-117,  132. 
Oysters,  53. 

Pancakes,  60,  90. 

Pancreas,  22,  27. 

Pancreatic  juice,  27,  28. 

Pasteurized  milk,  39. 

Pastry,  60,  61. 

Patent  medicines,  133,  187. 

Peanut  butter,  65. 

Peanuts,  65. 

Peary,  Commander  R.E.,  74,  182 

Peas,  64. 

Pepsin,  23. 

Perspiration,  193. 

Perspiratory  glands,  192. 

Phosphorus,  14. 

Pickles,  90. 

Pie,  60,  91. 

Plants,  113. 

Pneumonia,  295. 

Poisoning,  292. 


358 


INDEX 


Poison  ivy,  293. 

Polypi,  152. 

Pop,  72. 

Pores,  193. 

Pork,  49,  50. 

Potatoes,  62. 

Preserving  fruit,  68. 

Proteid,  9. 

Pryor,  Dr.  John  H.,  149. 

Ptomaine,  52,  293. 

Pulmonary  artery,  107,  110. 

Pulmonary  vein,  108,  111. 

Pulse,  110,  304. 

Pupil,  235. 

Quinine,  272. 

Railroad  employees,  82. 

Raspberries,  66. 

Rennin,  23. 

Respiration,  112. 

Respirator,  156. 

Rhythmic    breathing,     148,     149, 

158,  163. 
Ribs,  144,  145, 
Rice,  55,  56. 
Roosevelt,    Theodore,    168,    169, 

172,  174. 

Russian  baths,  198. 
Rye,  55,  56. 

Saliva,  18. 

Salivary  glands,  18. 

Salt,  14,  25. 

Sarcey,  Francisque,  258. 

Sausage,  50,  91. 

Scarlet  fever,  269,  296,  298,  299. 

Schoolrooms,  137. 

Sclerotic  coat,  234. 

Scott,  Sir  Walter,  169-172,  174. 

Seaver,  Professor  J.  W.,  178-180. 

Shoes,  218. 

Silk,  210-212. 

Sixth- year  molars,  229. 

Skating,  173. 


Skin,  192,  309. 

Sleep,  276-281. 

Smallpox,  296,  298,  299. 

Snoring,  155. 

Soda,  14. 

Soda  water,  72. 

Soups,  49. 

Spanish  windlass.  285. 

Spartans,  94. 

Spectacles,  257. 

Squint,  255. 

Starch,  13. 

Sterilized  milk,  39. 

Stewed  fruits,  66. 

Stews,  49. 

Stomach,  22,  23. 

Stomach  digestion,  22-27. 

Suffocation,  291. 

Sugar,  13,  14. 

Sugar  habit,  86-89. 

Sunshine,  136. 

Sunstroke,  287. 

Tartar,  227. 

Tea,  69,  70. 

Teeth,  221-232. 

Temperature,      138,       139,      194, 

303. 

Tennis,  173. 
Thermometer,  139. 
Thirst,  184. 
Thorax,  143-145. 
Toast,  59,  60,  91. 
Tobacco,  177-182. 
Toothpowder,  225. 
Trachea,  22. 
TrichinsB,  49. 
Turkish  baths,  199. 
Type,  245. 
Typhoid  fever,  190,  295,  297. 

Unconsciousness,  292. 

Vaccination,  299. 
Valves,  109. 


INDEX 


359 


Veal,  50. 

Vegetables,  63. 

Veils,  242. 

Veins,  106,  107,  284. 

Ventilation,  118-134. 

Villi,  28. 

Vitreous  humor,  235. 

Walking,  173. 
Walnuts,  65. 
Water,  183-202,  309. 


Watery  vapor,  98,  103,  104,  112, 

126,  193. 
Wheat,  54. 
Whittier,  282. 
Whole  wheat  flour,  58. 
Whooping  cough,  298. 
Windpipe.  22,  291. 
Wood  alcohol,  247. 
Woolen,  210-212. 

Yale  University,  21/178. 


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